Browns projected to make bold roster decision amid four-QB problem

The Cleveland Browns named their starting quarterback, going with Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders after a very close battle through the first two weeks of the preseason.

But that decision hasn't ended the quarterback problem for the Browns. More specifically, they still have four valuable quarterbacks on the roster. So, how do they fix this QB problem?

Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN is projecting that instead of a trade or a release, the Browns will actually make the bold decision to keep all four of their QBs on the 53-man roster to start the regular season.

Browns projected to keep all four QBs on 53-man roster

"Keeping four quarterbacks on an active roster is unheard of in the NFL," Oyefusi writes. "However, Cleveland is effectively using Green's rookie season as a redshirt year. And between Watson's struggles, injury history, and the reception from the home crowd in the second preseason game -- he was met with loud boos -- the Browns might opt to keep Gabriel on the 53-man roster as another backup option."

This would be a very bold decision from the Browns. Todd Monken and Andrew Berry have a tricky decision with their QB depth chart ahead of the 2026 season.

But instead of trying to figure out how to move on from one of them, keeping all four might not be such a terrible idea. Having the depth in a year where there is significant uncertainty at the QB spot might work out fine.

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Sanders and Watson are the likely starters, but Dillon Gabriel is a decent backup option, and if they were to trade him, the package they'd get back would likely be significantly worse than the third-rounder they spent on him one year ago.

Taylen Green isn't going to be a factor for the Browns this year, but he's got significant upside and is worth keeping on the roster for at least 2026, especially since he's a rookie and cutting him or trading him would be a bad look for the front office.

Instead of trying to figure out a trade for Gabriel or Sanders, the Browns can do as Oyefusi projects, keeping all four and having plenty of depth in case Watson or Sanders get hurt.

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• Cowboys projected to have 90% chance of trading Marist Liufau
• Texans linked to Rashod Bateman and Kayshon Boutte amid trade talks for WR help
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