Cleveland’s Quarterback Dilemma Persists

The Cleveland Browns are still trying to figure out their quarterback situation. Despite weeks of practice, they’re yet to settle on who will take the starting role moving forward.

Head coach Todd Monken indicated that both quarterbacks have shown promise, noting, “We haven’t played a game yet, and we haven’t really been in pads. We’re not there yet. Each day, we’re kind of leaning one way or the other in terms of quarterback. I assure you, we have two players who are capable of starting.” This doesn’t really clear things up but leaves some ambiguity in the quarterback room.

It seems that Dillon Gabriel, who started last season, might not be the favorite under the new coaching staff. Monken had been quick to praise another quarterback, Sanders, when he took over the coaching position, and reports suggest that Watson has been turning heads during the offseason, possibly giving him an edge for the starting job.

The situation is compounded by the recent blockbuster trade where the Browns sent 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, to the Rams in exchange for Jared Verse and several draft picks. This kind of move can often indicate the direction a team is heading, and it all feels quite fluid.

When Vaas arrived at practice, he sported the No. 8 jersey, which is currently worn by Gabriel. Both players seem to be okay with sharing that number for now, but certainly, only one can keep it for the regular season.

This rookie taking Gabriel’s number might signal a lack of confidence from the coaching staff in him, sparking questions about his long-term future with the team.

Other teams, like the New York Jets, are still on the lookout for solid backup quarterbacks, especially after Russell Wilson’s retirement. The Green Bay Packers are also eyeing a reliable option to support Jordan Love.

For the moment, though, it looks like Monken and his coaching team are willing to let the competition play out before making any final decisions.