Browns QB Named Among Prime Cut Candidates In 2026

With the top of the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback depth chart now set, with Deshaun Watson an unpopular choice as QB1 and Shedeur Sanders as his backup, considerations must be made about the position as it pertains to the rest of the roster. That could put Dillon Gabriel’s future with the team in jeopardy.

NFL teams rarely carry four quarterbacks on the final 53-man roster. Rookie sixth-round pick Taylen Green would normally be a prime candidate for the practice squad, but the Browns may want to avoid exposing the developmental prospect to waivers to get him there.

That is why Bleacher Report analyst Gary Davenport has named Gabriel among the prime cut candidates around the NFL for 2026.

“However, Cleveland’s crowded quarterback room makes Gabriel’s path to a roster spot increasingly uncertain. Gabriel was a third-round pick of the Browns in 2025, but for better or worse he has clearly fallen behind Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson on the depth chart. With rookie Taylen Green also on the roster, it’s a numbers game, one Gabriel is losing,” Davenport wrote.

It was less than a year ago that Gabriel was the Browns starter. He was the choice over Sanders last season when Joe Flacco was benched, and he held on to the job until he was put in concussion protocol in Week 11.

That allowed Sanders to become the starter, and he kept it through the end of the season. Watson returned from a year off due to injury, and Sanders was unable to hold him off in their competition this year, leading to the uncomfortable situation the Browns now find themselves in.

Gabriel has always been seen as a potentially competent NFL backup, which would seem to be the ceiling for his career. Having him on the roster could be a benefit to the Browns, depending on how the season plays out.

If Cleveland does release Gabriel on or before the final cutdown day of Aug. 30, that would leave them with Watson, Sanders, and Green. If Watson were to get injured, as has been his history with the Browns, Sanders would become the starter, but Green would be the backup. Then, if Sanders were unable to play, even for a game or two, the Browns would have to call on Green much earlier than they want to.

Of course, at that point, the Browns could find another veteran, or they may manipulate their practice squad beforehand to avoid that particular undesirable situation.