CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: The Cleveland Browns line up opposite the Cincinnati Bengals during the game on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104135

Jul 19, 2026, 1:30 PM CUT

Browns’ QB room earns them damning prediction for 2026 season

The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback crisis is the reason for little confidence in the team yet again. Despite the major overhaul of the team, an expert is unconvinced that the Browns’ QB roster will prove enough for them to win this season.

“I have no faith in Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, but I like the rest of the offense, and there is still some defensive talent even after the Myles Garrett trade,” Vic Tafur of The Athletic wrote on July 17.

In his article, Tafur, a senior writer, made predictions about how each team will fare this season. He laid out picks for every team’s win-loss over/under with six best b***. The Browns have a new defensive end, Jared Verse, and talent like Carson Schwesinger.

NFL, American Football Herren, USA San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns Nov 30, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 runs on the field before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20251130_tdc_bk4_0043

The Browns are over 5.5 (-120). The team has yet to announce its starting quarterback for this season between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Tafur, however, does not believe in either of them.

Watson, 30, is making a comeback in the NFL. Late in October 2024, the veteran QB ruptured his Achilles tendon, ending his season.

He then suffered another injury in the same spot, ensuring he was absent last season altogether. In 2025, the Browns picked Sanders in the fifth round and saw no action for the first ten weeks.

However, he eventually emerged as the team’s lead passer with 1,400 yards after his debut against the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns ended with a 5-12 record, regardless.

Their offense has consistently ranked at the bottom of the barrel as well. Last season, the Browns gave one of the worst offensive performances and were 30th overall.

Their passing offense was ranked 31st with 165.1 passing yards per game. Watson’s health is coming across as his biggest weakness, and for Sanders, it is his limited experience.

Tafur has more faith in the Las Vegas Raiders, who hold a 4-13 record and placed them above the Browns on the list. While the QB room is a concern, there is still some hope riding on this year’s draft class.

The Browns draft class offers hope despite QB doubts

The Cleveland Browns’ defense is once again expected to perform well as it has in past seasons. While there is little expectation set on the quarterbacks, the Browns management has received praise for assembling this year’s draft class.

“The main reason to take the over is the Browns are starting to stack great draft classes, and that’s rare in this league,” Vic Tafur wrote for The Athletic.

This year, the Browns picked another quarterback, Taylen Green, a dual threat from Arkansas. They also fortified their offensive line by picking Utah Utes Spencer Fano early in the first round.

The Browns also picked wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston among other players. The management primarily selected offensive players this year. The Browns are widely predicted to come last despite the changes.

Can they prove their naysayers wrong? What are your thoughts?

Written by

Akanksha Biradar