Insider reveals when Browns will finalize starting quarterback decision

Insider reveals when Browns will finalize starting quarterback decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Browns have a quarterback room full of question marks and a new head coach in Todd Monken who needs resolution well before training camp. Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, whose assessment was shared by BrownsNation on X, laid out the timetable the organization is working toward.

The Browns aim to have their QB1 identified by the end of minicamp in June, ensuring the winner accumulates proper reps and chemistry with the offense before the season begins. Last year's chaotic four-way competition proved too costly to repeat this year.

Minicamp in June is when the Browns plan to have their answer

"I don't know if they will go into minicamp in June knowing who that guy is," Cabot said, "but certainly, they will want to come out of minicamp knowing."

Monken has said reps will not be split evenly from day one. Early priority goes to whoever held the position at the end of 2025, which effectively means Shedeur Sanders enters the spring program with the advantage.

Deshaun Watson, returning from two Achilles surgeries, is also in the race. His $80.7 million cap hit makes him uncuttable regardless of how the battle unfolds.

Cabot has also reported that Monken and general manager Andrew Berry are open to adding a quarterback from outside the roster, through free agency or the draft.

Sanders went 3-4 as a starter in his rookie season and is currently considered the frontrunner.

Minicamp gives the Browns roughly two months to sort this out before it becomes a genuine problem heading into July.

Cleveland cannot afford to carry another summer of uncertainty at the most important position on the field.