Browns predicted 'most likely' 2026 season outcome would be disappointing

The Cleveland browns are heading into the 2026 season without a clear starter at the quarterback position. Deshaun Watson likely has the lead, while Shedeur Sanders is fighting for the starting job with one step behind the veteran.

There are a lot of eyes on this quarterback battle, and the winner will be quite interesting. But for ESPN's Dan Graziano, the starting QB for Cleveland doesn't appear to matter.

He's predicting that the "most likely outcome" for the Browns this season will be a disappointing, near last-place finish for Cleveland, with neither Sanders nor Watson having a chance to be the 2027 starter.

Browns' 'most likely' outcome for 2026 would be a bad record and dire QB need

"Most likely outcome: Watson opens the season as the starter, the team loses a lot of games, and Sanders takes over at some point," Graziano writes. "The Browns finish with one of the worst records in the league, and neither of these guys is in the mix to be their 2027 starter."

Graziano's "most likely" outcome for the Browns this upcoming season would feature the team losing a lot of games, and seemingly neither QB proving they deserve a chance to start next year.

This sounds like a brutal season for the Browns. Unfortunately, it's more likely than not going to be close to the truth for Cleveland this upcoming season.

MORE: Browns' Shedeur Sanders explains bad turnover against Bears

Neither QB has done enough to have a lot of confidence in them, and with a likely worse defense now that Myles Garrett is gone, the margin for error is likely slimmer.

Watson is trending towards being the Week 1 starter, but Sanders, barring Watson returning to Pro Bowl form, will likely see some action at some point this upcoming season.

But Graziano is predicting that the production from both QBs won't matter, as the team loses a lot of games and the Browns are ready to move on from both.

Turning to a rookie in a stacked 2027 NFL Draft class makes a lot of sense, and with how shaky this Browns team looks heading into the season, despite some quality individual pieces on both sides of the ball, this prediction from Graziano seems likely to come true.

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