The Cleveland Browns have been known more for having bad NFL seasons than good seasons. Cleveland last season finished in last place once again in the AFC North with a 5-12 record. The Browns this offseason decided to trade away defensive end Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse and three draft picks. Cleveland could potentially have another bad 2026 NFL season.
A lot of it is going to depend upon who wins the starting quarterback job between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders . There are many Browns fans who would rather see Sanders win the starting job than Watson. If that doesn't happen, well it could be another long 2026 NFL season for Cleveland fans. Browns fans always embrace the worst when it comes to there football team.
Jun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports listed the best-case and worst-case scenarios for each NFL team as the 2026 NFL season approaches. Sullivan said about what the Browns worst-case scenario would be, "Watson wins the job over Sanders, but neither puts together an awe-inspiring training camp. Monken leans toward the veteran, but Watson continues to look like the version he's been throughout his time in Cleveland. That results in the Browns finishing last in the AFC North and owning one of the worst records in the NFL, leading to Monken being one-and-done. They enter the 2027 offseason once again searching for a new head coach and a new quarterback."
There are a lot of Browns fans who believe that Watson winning the job would be the worst-case scenario. It would not be a surprise to this see this team also finish in last place in the AFC North for the third consecutive season. This is a team that is currently rebuilding. If Watson were to win the job over Sanders, he may not be able to be a starter again in the NFL.
If Watson magically turned back the clock to his Houston Texans days, that would be a major shock to everyone. The Browns for now remain in quarterback purgatory and it could end.
Jun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs the offense during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
If Watson and Sanders do not pan out for the Browns, then Berry is going to have to see what quarterbacks will come out in 2027. Arch Manning from the Texas Longhorns and Dante Moore from the Oregon Ducks will be two of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft potentially. Two other quarterbacks that could potentially be flying under the radar for next year will be Julian Sayin from the Ohio State Buckeyes and C.J. Carr from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
It is quite possible that one of these four quarterbacks are the long-term answer for the Browns and not Watson or Sanders. It would be a surprise if Monken was one-and-done as head coach even if they finish in last place once again this season. Cleveland could also decide to take Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Brendan Sorsby in the NFL Supplemental Draft. It would not be a good idea for them to do so.
The Browns will not be good in 2026 anyways. Cleveland fans are going to wind up with the worst-case scenario. They are sick and tired of losing and want to see winning results this season.
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