Cleveland’s Rookie QBs Already Facing 2026 Uncertainty
The Cleveland Browns made headlines during the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth. Both quarterbacks bring plenty of upside but their window to impress may already be closing.
According to longtime Browns insider Tony Grossi, Cleveland could be back in the QB market in 2026, regardless of how Gabriel or Sanders perform in year one.
2026 Draft Class Looms Large
Grossi’s projection is based on the Browns potentially having two first-round picks in the 2026 draft, including one from the Jaguars via the Travis Hunter trade. With a loaded quarterback class featuring names like Drew Allar, Arch Manning, and Cade Klubnik, Cleveland could pull the trigger on a more polished prospect.
“The 2026 draft will have multiple QBs graded much higher than Gabriel and Sanders,” Grossi wrote. “I just can’t see the Browns allowing the 2026 QB draft pass them by – no matter what Gabriel and Sanders are able to accomplish this season.”
That would spell trouble for both rookies, even if they show flashes of potential. It’s not a stretch to imagine one of them impressing in preseason or mid-season play. But it might not be enough to fend off the next shiny draft pick.
What’s Next for Shedeur Sanders and Gabriel?
Despite the cloudy outlook, both quarterbacks are expected to return in 2026, even if Cleveland drafts another QB. Their best chance to secure a future in Cleveland will be by showing undeniable progress this season.
Still, it’s clear the Browns aren’t settling. Until they find a true franchise quarterback, every name under center, including Sanders and Gabriel, is just another audition.
Read More: Browns Rookie Shedeur Sanders Named Among OTA ‘Losers’
