The Cleveland Browns already had one significant challenge entering the 2026 season. Then, they added another one by trading away one of the best players in the NFL.
With a quarterback situation that is among the worst in the league, the ongoing competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders has yet to reach a resolution. Meanwhile, one of the league’s best defenses lost its top player when Garrett was dealt to the Los Angeles Rams in early June.
Pro Football Focus analyst Gordon McGuinness recently named those issues as the two biggest concerns the Browns are facing this season.
“Life without Myles Garrett, and the quarterbacks,” McGuinness wrote. “The loss of Garrett means it’s entirely possible that the Browns’ roster is worse than the one that went 5-12 last season. There is talent here, but much of it lacks experience at crucial positions, and Cleveland could wind up fielding seven offensive starters who have no more than one year of NFL experience. Then there’s the quarterback problem.”
Fortunately, the Browns received edge rusher Jared Verse as part of the trade, and there is reason to believe he can replace at least some of Garrett’s record-breaking production. The defense as a whole, with a strong front seven and a solid veteran secondary, should be able to hold its own.
The offense, however, is a completely different story. Watson hasn’t played in an NFL game since tearing his Achilles tendon in October 2024, and while the veteran has shown flashes of his former Pro Bowl form, there are shortcomings to his game. Sanders made seven starts last year as a rookie, and even though he has vastly improved since then, he is lacking the upside of a true franchise QB.
If Sanders were to earn the starting job, he would be leading one of the youngest offenses in the league. Running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. are talented players also entering their second year, while rookie wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston are expected to have prominent roles as first-round and second-round picks from the 2026 NFL Draft. In addition, No. 9 overall pick Spencer Fano is being given a difficult assignment as Cleveland’s starting left tackle.
The Browns’ future does look bright, but it may take a while before all the pieces are in place and fit together for them to become a consistent winning team.
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