July 8, 2026, 12:33 p.m. ET
As the Cleveland Browns continue to prepare for the 2026 NFL season, many questions surround the struggling franchise heading into its Week One matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Between the current quarterback battle, the newest additions from free agency, and the 2026 NFL Draft, the fanbase is eager to see how newly hired head coach Todd Monken will tie together the roster for the upcoming season. And while we may not receive answers until closer to the start of the season, we can make predictions about what the Browns will look like in 2026.
Here are the three biggest questions for Cleveland heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Who is the Browns’ QB1?
Obviously, the most pressing question heading into the upcoming season for the Browns will be the quarterback battle between veteran Deshaun Watson and 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders.
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Despite Sanders showing some promise in his last seven starts during his rookie season, the organization has made it clear that he must compete against Watson this offseason to maintain his status as the Browns’ starting quarterback. Earlier this offseason, there were many reports that claimed Watson had an edge over Sanders heading into camp, and while the 24-year-old playmaker continues to close the gap between himself and Watson, I still believe Watson will be the Week One starter.
How will the offensive rookies perform?
General manager Andrew Berry, for the second year in a row, knocked it out of the park in the NFL Draft. With plenty of holes on the offensive side of the ball, Berry and the front office made multiple upgrades to the starting 11 by selecting the team’s projected starting left tackle, Spencer Fano, as well as a pair of highly-touted wide receivers in KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.
However, the question becomes: how will the newest additions to the struggling franchise perform in year one?
When examining Monken’s previous offensive schemes with the Georgia Bulldogs and the Baltimore Ravens, my guess is that Concepcion will be used similarly to Zay Flowers, while Boston mimics the George Pickens role during his time with the Bulldogs. I believe that if both players do end up filling these roles in 2026, the rookie duo will likely lead the team in receiving yards.
What does a Myles Garrett-less defense look like?
This offseason, the Browns’ front office made the bold decision to trade away their cornerstone defender, star Myles Garrett.
While the trade shocked the entire football world, the blockbuster deal included 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse. Landing a young, blossoming star in Verse was a terrific strategy by Berry and company, as the 25-year-old will fill the hole left by the departure of Garrett. His presence may not be as great as that of the single-season sack record holders, but his ability to consistently apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks will create more opportunities for the other EDGE rushers on the roster, such as Isaiah McGuire and Alex Wright.
Do I think that the defense will be as elite as it was over the past few seasons? No. But do I think this current group could be one of the best defensive units in the league by the end of the season? Definitely.