The 2026 season has unofficially started as the Cleveland Browns have returned to Berea for training camp. Four days in, the team has practiced mainly in shells (jerseys and helmets), but the physicality will be turned up when the pads are introduced on Monday. Head coach Todd Monken is undergoing the rebuild of this Browns offense, while the defense is looking to move on after trading away all-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett.
A few thoughts from the first four days of Browns training camp:
Cleveland’s QB1 still undetermined
Four days
into training camp and Cleveland still does not have a definitive answer as to who will be the starting quarterback once Week 1 rolls around. It’s not as shocking as people may think, but it’s clear that Monken is evaluating this competition closely. Monken has noted that the offense is still going through the installation period.
No one truly knows who is leading the QB competition. Some believe it’s Shedeur Sanders that’s in the lead. The same can be said for Deshaun Watson. Dillon Gabriel’s name has started to rise lately as well. The QB competition isn’t determined four days into camp. Installs, game reps, and certain situations will be taken into effect when Monken makes his decision. As of now, the team does not have a starting quarterback, and that’s okay.
Rookie WR Denzel Boston’s stock continues to rise
Aside from the quarterback conundrum, the Browns offense has talent that will get the fans excited. Enter Denzel Boston. Boston, who the team drafted in the 2nd round in this past NFL draft, has turned a lot of heads during training camp. Cleveland has lacked a true X-type receiver for quite some time, but it appears they have found one in Boston.
It seems every practice Boston is making highlight plays, mainly due to his ability to catch the 50-50 balls and display immense concentration with some of the catches. It wouldn’t be surprising if Boston’s impressive rookie camp translates to the regular season.
Cleveland’s defense hasn’t lost a step
When the Browns traded reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, many wondered how far the defense would regress. Four days in, that has not been the case. Defensively, the unit is young, but the talent is there. Defensive end Jared Verse is making himself well known from a vocal standpoint, defensive tackle Mason Graham has showcased he’s ready for a sophomore breakout, and cornerback Denzel Ward is showing why the Browns decided to extend him.
It’s a young defense, but it’s a defense with a lot to prove. Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg has rejuvenated the unit, and it appears that this defense could be better than last year if things go their way. So far, the arrow is trending upwards.
What have you taken away from Browns camp so far?
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