With the Myles Garrett trade done, the Cleveland Browns now inch toward their 2026 season, fully aware that the team’s key decision-makers are focused on 2027 and 2028.There’s no downplaying Garrett’s talents or the magnitude of moving on from the greatest defensive player in franchise history. But the trade is tied, both directly and indirectly, to the team’s perpetual quarterback carousel and lack of clarity headed into the regular season. So now that Garrett is gone to Los Angeles, the focus in and around the team’s offseason immediately shifts back to the latest competition for the starting quarterback job.The Browns wrap up their first offseason program under new coach Todd Monken with a mandatory minicamp from Tuesday through Thursday this week. It would be a surprise if minicamp brings an end to the offseason quarterback competition, which means the team’s final spring practices will provide both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders with an opportunity to leave at least a semi-lasting impression on Monken and the coaching staff.After a voluntary minicamp and nine organized team activity (OTA) practice sessions, Monken has offered few clues about the state of the competition and seems willing to acknowledge that while naming a starter ahead of training camp would be “ideal,” he still wants to see more. From four practice sessions open to reporters this spring, it would appear that Watson had a slight edge in competitive reps with the No. 1 offense, but last week’s OTA viewing session was the first open practice in which Sanders was first up for all full-team competitive periods.Whether the division of reps in minicamp will provide any clues remains to be seen, but Monken seems, well, open to leaving things open.“In a perfect world, you’d love to have your starting quarterback, right? I’m not sure we’ll be there (soon), I’m just not,” Monken said. “I think both quarterbacks have played well enough where we haven’t really been in pads. We haven’t played any games yet … haven’t really got to that point yet.“Every day I kind of lean one way or the other with quarterbacks. But we’ve still got to get to that point.”Though last week’s open OTA practice was an especially rough one for the offense at a stage of the offseason when more pass completions and a smoother operation should be expected, Monken has said he remains both encouraged by and optimistic about what he’s seen. “I’m fired up by the quarterbacks,” Monken said. “I’ll just tell you, we’ve got two starting-level quarterbacks. We really do.”“We look at the film (each day) and then we assess that. And again, I think both of them are doing exactly what we’re asking them to do and competing like hell.”Both Monken and offensive coordinator Travis Switzer said the Browns installed the full offense with the team’s veteran players during the second phase of the offseason program. Taking that to the third phase and running the full offense in actual practice settings constitutes a bit of “starting over,” Switzer said, especially with the Browns counting on their highly drafted rookie wide receivers to play significant roles. The quarterbacks should be more comfortable with the offense for minicamp than they were at various May installation points, so perhaps the on-field product will improve — and perhaps even be revealing.“I think that both of those guys (Watson and Sanders) and really all of our guys are progressing very well,” Switzer said. “Very pleased in what we’ve seen in the growth. A lot of it is the familiarity with the system — getting a little more comfortable as we move on. But the quarterbacks’ progression, just in the short time that we’ve been out there so far, is very encouraging, and we’re excited about that.”Here’s what else we’re tracking in minicamp this week.Which defenders are here for the long haul?Publicly, the Browns are resisting any talk of tanking or potentially trading Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward now that Garrett is gone. But both Ward and safety Grant Delpit stayed away from the voluntary part of the offseason program, and Delpit is entering the final season of his current contract. Publicly, the Browns are leaning into newly acquired defensive end Jared Verse and linebacker Carson Schwesinger as the new faces of the defense.What does the team’s direction mean for the futures of Ward and Delpit? No clues will come from on-field activity during minicamp, but both Ward and Delpit should publicly address the team’s direction. On the field, new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg will keep the team’s attack-style scheme but has new players at all three levels, and now new dynamics in the meeting rooms and locker room.Which rookies are ready for immediate action?Though all of the rookies started the spring working with the backups, first-round tackle Spencer Fano was promoted to the No. 1 offense ahead of the final week of OTA practices. Second-round wide receiver Denzel Boston has been one of the standouts of the early practices, and both Boston and first-round wide receiver KC Concepcion are going to play a lot as rookies. Both have started taking full rotations with both the No. 1 and No. 2 offensive groups over the last two weeks.Second-year wide receiver Isaiah Bond has made impressive plays in each of the last two open OTA sessions, and Monken singled out Bond as a player who’s shown improvement this spring. Both Concepcion and Bond bring the kind of speed the Browns have struggled to consistently find in recent years, and both could end up helping whoever is playing quarterback. Second-year tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has been present but not participating in OTA sessions, while second-year running back Quinshon Judkins has been practicing but limited in team drills as part of his return from leg and ankle injuries. The Browns are counting on big years from both Fannin and Judkins and consider them important pieces of the long-term puzzle, but this spring has been about installation and extra reps for players who likely will be further down the depth chart this summer and fall.Who fits where on the offensive line?Monken said the team is locked in on four starters: Fano at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, Tytus Howard at right tackle and Elgton Jenkins at either center or right guard. Fifth-round rookie center Parker Brailsford will continue to try to win the starting job, while veteran Teven Jenkins, third-round rookie tackle Austin Barber, first-year player Jack Conley and 2024 third-round pick Zak Zinter are among those who either have or will eventually get snaps at right guard.So, while the expected remake of the offensive line remains in progress, it’s not too early to confirm that it’s a full remake. Tackle Dawand Jones and center Luke Wypler, both of whom started games last year, are on the roster bubble. Zinter doesn’t appear to be in the plans, either, and KT Leveston, who started games at both tackle spots last year, has worked this spring both at tackle and at guard. Minicamp will be more about repetitions than positional competition, but the young players can continue to show they’re making strong progress.