The Cleveland Browns entered the 2026 season with some roster maneuvering at the quarterback position that they’re eventually going to have to sort through as soon as in a couple of weeks. 

Cleveland opted to put Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve before setting its 53-man roster to begin the season, a move that placed him there for at least four games. Gabriel will be eligible to return after the Week 4 Thursday Night Football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that’s going to leave the Browns with a decision to make on the roster.

Cleveland likely isn’t keeping 3 quarterbacks around: trade or waive?

The Browns need to either cut or try to trade a quarterback when Gabriel comes back. Deshaun Watson is locked into the roster, and I also believe sixth-round pick rookie Taylen Green is a player Cleveland probably isn’t going to want to subject to waivers. You can pencil him in as staying as well.

That leaves Shedeur Sanders or Gabriel as the odd man out. The Browns would much rather trade either one and get something back for them, because neither is likely a part of the quarterback future with this team. If either was a franchise quarterback, they would be starting over Watson right now. 

Cleveland is likely to try to get its quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft, where the Browns have two first-round picks.

The Giants could be in the market for QB depth

The New York Giants are a team that could be looking to add quarterback depth. Starter Jaxson Dart went down with an MCL injury on Monday Night Football in Week 2, and it’s possible he could be facing season-ending surgery. Jameis Winston is the starter in New York now, but the Giants don’t really have much past him as a backup option outside of Jake Haener on the practice squad.

New York isn’t likely to add a starting-level quarterback at this time, but if the Giants want to trade for a quarterback with starting experience, they could do that by landing either Gabriel or Sanders.

Sanders started seven games for the Browns last year and went 3-4 as a starter. He completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Sanders is a player who will push the ball downfield and get it to your playmakers, but he’s also going to risk turning the ball over, much like New York already has with Winston.

Gabriel, on the other hand, is more of a player who keeps it in the short to intermediate range. He’s not going to turn the ball over as much, but he’s also not going to create as many explosive plays. In 2025, the Browns gave Gabriel six starts. He was 1-5, and he had seven passing touchdowns and two interceptions.

If the Browns could get anything from the Giants for either quarterback, they should jump on that. Neither player is likely a part of the future beyond this season, and getting a draft pick in return would be a win for Cleveland.