Browns QB competition could end with Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson both benched

It's the Browns' opening game of the season. As players come out of the tunnel, they're led by Cleveland's starting quarterback. 

It's not the maligned Deshaun Watson. It's not the mistake-prone Shedeur Sanders. 

It's... Dillon Gabriel? 

That's a very real possibility after ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Gabriel is expected to make the 53-man roster.

The former third-round pick is no stranger to quarterback competitions. He competed with veteran Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Sanders last year for the starting gig along Lake Erie. 

Could Gabriel somehow take the starting job this season? Here's the case. 

Why Dillon Gabriel could be Browns starting QB

A dramatic offseason in Cleveland ended with a questionable outcome: Deshaun Watson will be the starting quarterback. 

Head coach Todd Monken said based on preseason evaluations he felt most comfortable with Watson.

"Ultimately felt like, to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points. That's really what it's about," Monken said.

Not the most convicted reasoning. Monken mentions starting on the road as why Watson won the job.

There's a theory that Monken could be setting up Deshaun to fail the first two weeks on the road and then start Sanders at home week 3 against Carolina. 

But what if he chose to start Gabriel once fans turn on Watson?

Gabriel, in his second year out of Oregon, went 1-5 last year as the starter. He was pulled in week 11 after suffering a concussion and Sanders started the rest of the season. 

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Gabriel wasn't impressive, throwing for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, two interceptions, and an 80.8 passer rating in 10 games of action. 

His best case for the starting job? One preseason game.

Gabriel started in the Browns final preseason contest against New England. He threw 12 of 15 for 186 yards and three scores. This rollout might've been his best.

Dillon Gabriel with the THROW of the preseason for the Browns. pic.twitter.com/5HX4I43KUo

— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) August 28, 2026

The only guarantee in the Browns QB room is all the options are downright bad. None of the arms have tape that makes them the unequivocal choice. 

Which means it's anyone's job to take. 

If Watson struggles, Gabriel could prove in practice he deserves another chance to lead Cleveland. 

At this point, how much worse can it get for the Browns? Taking a gamble on Gabriel could yield more struggles or he could be surprisingly good with KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.

You can only lose one game at a time.

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