New NFL Rumors on 'Rare' Decision Browns Eye with Shedeur Sanders, Watson, Gabriel, Taylen Green

The Cleveland Browns' quarterback room could go four-deep heading into the 2026 NFL regular season, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler said Sunday on SportsCenter that "there is certainly a scenario" where the Browns keep Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green all on their final roster.

The NFL insider suggested it's "pretty rare" for a team to keep four active QBs, though the Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be headed in that direction as well.

Watson and Sanders were effectively locks to make the final cut before the offseason got underway. Releasing Watson would require eating a lot of dead money, while Sanders warranted more time to develop after he started seven games as a rookie.

That seemingly left Gabriel as the odd man out, especially when considering Cleveland used a sixth-round pick on Green.

The southpaw looked good in a 37-13 win over the New England Patriots, though. He finished 12-of-15 for 186 yards and three touchdowns.

The preseason finale was Green's only action. He was 5-of-7 for 27 yards and ran for 66 yards on eight carries.

The obvious question is what Cleveland has to gain by holding onto both Gabriel and Green when neither seriously challenged Sanders for the backup role.

ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi made the case for having four quarterbacks.

"However, Cleveland is effectively using Green's rookie season as a redshirt year," he wrote. "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."

In the case of Gabriel, signaling that you intend to roster him could boost his trade market that little bit more. Flipping him for a late-round draft pick is better than cutting him for nothing.

Ultimately, the question for the Browns is whether anybody emerges as a suitable QB solution beyond 2026. The depth chart is going to look a lot different in 2027 if none of Watson, Sanders or Gabriel provides signs of encouragement.