Steelers And AFC North Get Critical Updates On The Cleveland Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have the tough task of repeating as AFC North champions in 2026. There has been plenty of change within the division, as the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns also went through coaching switches. The Cincinnati Bengals are the only team that has the same leader in charge with training camps right around the corner. Preseason games will show only a little bit regarding what each roster is capable of, so fans are simply counting down the days until meaningful football begins. There are a lot more questions than answers as it stands in late June.

The Steelers have an interesting quarterback dilemma of their own, but it revolves around who will be the backup rather than the starter. While the Ravens and Bengals are more than set at the position, the Browns and new head coach Todd Monken have a lot of issues to solve. The offensive unit has been pretty abysmal in Cleveland since the front office traded for Deshaun Watson in 2022.

Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel both got plenty of opportunities to prove themselves in 2025, as Watson was rehabbing an Achilles injury that lingered due to him tearing it a second time. Despite this, the new staff doesn't seem to be very sold on the idea of one of the younger guys starting under center. It appears like it will be Watson after all.

On Sunday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported for SportsBoom that the Browns are absolutely favoring Watson in the competition, which could stir up some controversy early on.

"Ultimately, SportsBoom continues to hear that veteran Deshaun Watson, finally at the completion of a $230M, fully guaranteed contract, is very much the favorite to end up starting in Week 1, regardless of all the speculation about other quarterbacks on the roster," La Canfora wrote.

Watson is still on that massive contract, but has gone some time without playing competitively. The fan base in Cleveland would be right to question the move. However, Sanders isn't going anywhere and could be up sooner rather than later.

"The Browns are not expected to move Shedeur Sanders anytime soon, according to league sources, with head coach Todd Monken a believer in him and with Watson coming off consecutive lost seasons and with a deep injury history," La Canfora noted.

The simple fact of Watson looking like the starter doesn't mean that Monken and co. won't be hesitant to start Sanders early on in the season. It's an interesting battle to keep an eye on for the Steelers because the two teams are set to face off on Thursday Night Football in Week 4. A very bad start from Watson could lead to a relatively quick switch.

Gabriel seems to have received the short end of the stick in the signal-caller room. He was playing just okay when Sanders ended up replacing him. He could be frustrated with how quickly his role has reduced, but La Canfora reported that there is no real trade market for him at this time, even though he will likely be slotted as the third guy on the depth chart.

"However, no one SportsBoom has spoken to believes Gabriel carries any real trade value, even with his NFL starting experience," La Canfora reported.

The Browns also drafted freak athlete Taylen Green. He has consistently said that he does not plan on switching positions, so if he somehow stands out in training camp and the preseason, Gabriel might even find himself looking for a new home via waivers or free agency.

Steelers Can't Fall Into Another Trap In Cleveland

Pittsburgh could have wrapped up the division in Week 17 back in 2025, but a horrible game on the road led to a loss against the Browns. It has been a constant over recent years, but the Steelers are projecting to be much better than Cleveland in the upcoming season. It would be viewed as a horrible early-October loss if the trend continues in Week 4, regardless of who is playing quarterback.

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