Browns Get Horrible News on Future at QB Amid Dillon Gabriel’s Struggles
The Cleveland Browns are widely expected to use an early pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on a quarterback.
Cleveland could have a top-five pick, and the Browns also have the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ first-round pick, which they can use to trade up to select a quarterback. However, it appears the Browns may not be able to find their franchise quarterback in the draft.
Multiple high-ranking NFL executives spoke to The Athletic, and none were impressed by the quarterbacks that will likely be picked early in 2026.
“Nobody is playing the position well enough to be like, ‘That dude can take over my franchise,’” said an NFL team executive who was granted anonymity so he could speak openly.
Another executive, meanwhile, said their team didn’t love any of the top quarterback prospects as a future franchise guy.
“I don’t love any of (the quarterbacks) right now,” a second executive said. “We’re trying to grasp onto somebody because there isn’t anybody, and it’s such a flavor of the week. Good luck right now.”
A third NFL executive continued the bad news for the Browns, as they said the quarterback class is not a good one.
“Overall, we were hoping it was going to be better than last year,” a third executive said. “There was a hangover from such a good class two years ago. There were more projected (quarterbacks) coming into this year, but the expectations of the higher-end players never really materialized. Some of the younger guys are leaning toward going back because they haven’t played well and are making the NIL money.”
The top quarterbacks available are Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, LaNorris Sellers, and Dante Moore.
Browns Likely to Take a Quarterback in 2026
Cleveland has been using Dillon Gabriel at quarterback, but he doesn’t appear to be the long-term answer.
With that, all signs point to the Browns taking a quarterback early in the 2026 NFL Draft to be their franchise guy.
Although Cleveland is expected to take a quarterback, Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic doesn’t think general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski should make the pick.
“This team is back in the quarterback derby next year based on how things stand now. What that means for temporary starter Dillon Gabriel and Sanders is as uncertain as who will be making the selection,” Jackson wrote.
“Because absolutely zero about this current group’s quarterback track record says they should get to make the next pick. That’s true even if I’m right about Sanders eventually being a starting-quality player. I don’t yet know if I’m right about that. And the more I watch this offense trudge its way around, I’m not quite sure what anyone involved knows about anything.”
Whether or not the Browns will keep Berry and Stefanski to develop their next quarterback is to be seen.
Cleveland Expected to Draft Mendoza
The Browns will likely take one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tim Bielik of Cleveland.com predicted the Browns will take Mendoza from Indiana to be their franchise quarterback.
“Mendoza right now is QB1 and his game-winning drive at Penn State on Saturday only solidified that standing. He has just about everything a quarterback needs except for an elite deep ball. Mendoza has taken the next step as a quarterback under Curt Cignetti. (He) looks like the type of QB who could turn a team like the Browns back around quickly.”
Mendoza is 181-of-254 for 2,342 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions this season at Indiana.
Texans Veteran LB Hails DeMeco Ryans as the Driving Force Behind Houston’s Resurgence
The Houston Texans have managed to rally back from a slow start to the 2025 NFL season to sit at a 4-5 record heading into Week 11, brought back from the ashes at the command of third-year head coach DeMeco Ryans, and proving that their campaign is far from over with eight weeks to go in the season.
Thanks to Ryans' elite defense and a continously improving offense, the Texans are right back in the hunt to be competitive within the second half of the season. And in the process of that climb back to relevance, Houston's head coach has made sure to land some due credit his way.
Henry To'oTo'o Credits DeMeco Ryans' Intensity
One of those names on Houston's top-tier defense, Henry To'oTo'o, gave his flowers to Ryans during his latest appearance on Good Morning Football, praising the ease that comes with playing for him, especially when bringing the energy that he does.
“When you've got a leader like that; he's a player’s coach," To'oTo'o said, "He expects greatness out of him. Me and him, we have a great relationship. When you have somebody that you’ll go out and die for, and he still has that player energy where he's hyped up, and he's turnt up."
"When you make a play, he's jumping up and down with you, and that’s what you want as a player. You want to be able to go out with somebody that you know will die for you, and that’s who DeMeco is.”
It's a lead from Ryans that's brought the Texans back to life after a brutal 0-3 start to the year, and in the process, has put together one of the more well-rounded, dominant defenses for the first half of the season.
Ryans' Defense Sustaining Elite Status
In their ten games on the year so far, the Texans are the NFL's number-one scoring defense (16.7 points/game), allowing the least amount of yards per game (261.3), and are the number-one defense for EPA/play (-0.18). Only last week vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars was the only time Houston's allowed more than 20 points in a single game all season
That's a force that's been a tough challenge for opposing teams, even when considering the Texans' ups and downs on the offensive end.
The consistent prowess is not only attributed to the outstanding talent Houston has in the front seven and secondary, but also some nice coaching on the sidelines from Ryans, along with the play-callers on both sides of the ball from coordinators Nick Caley and Matt Burke.
Simply put, the optimism is still there for Houston after a brutal beginning stretch, in large part due to the resilience exhibited from Ryans' group week after week, despite falling into some tough holes throughout the way. Time will tell if that surge up the standings can continue into the second half of the season, but with a coach like Ryans at the helm, the job becomes a whole lot easier.
