The Browns’ next franchise passer does not appear to be on the roster yet, but for now, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are competing for the starting quarterback job. While Sanders appeared to have the leg up on his veteran teammate earlier this spring, more recent reporting has suggested Watson will be under center in Week 1.
Watson and Sanders were still splitting first-team reps when OTAs opened last week, as ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi observes. Head coach Todd Monken previously expressed his preference to have a QB1 in place by the start of training camp, though he acknowledged that the depth chart could change throughout the course of the preseason slate.
Echoing those sentiments during OTAs, Monken said (via Oyefusi), “[y]ou’d love to have [an established depth chart] at every position at the end of spring, but you can’t guarantee that. We’ll have it set for Jacksonville [in Week 1].”
The first-year HC was predictably complimentary of both participants in the starting QB battle. With respect to Sanders, Monken said, “I think Shedeur’s come miles, in terms of his progressions, getting the ball out, his understanding of concepts. I think he’s really, really come a long way.”
Sanders, 24, dealt with plenty of growing pains as a rookie in 2025. He connected on 56.5% of passes, averaged 6.6 yards per attempt, and threw more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (seven). He posted a poor 68.1 traditional passer rating and an even worse 18.9 QBR in the process. On the other hand, it would not have been surprising to see him selected in the first round of last year’s draft, so if there is more than standard coach-speak to Monken’s comments, perhaps the former Colorado standout is on track for a breakthrough season.
Watson, who will turn 31 in September, has largely disappointed when on the field during his much-maligned Cleveland tenure, and a ruptured (and later re-ruptured) Achilles has kept him out of game action since Week 7 of the 2024 campaign. He did return to practice in the latter stages of the ‘25 slate, and he has since received full medical clearance. In addition to praising Sanders’ growth, Monken offered an encouraging update with respect to Watson’s health.
“Deshaun’s athleticism shows up,” Monken said. “Obviously he’s had that, but he’s had injuries that have set him back. I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise, but it’s exciting to see — it’s a weapon for him. It’s one of his superpowers, his athleticism.”
The Browns did select Taylen Green in the sixth round of this year’s draft, but they otherwise have focused on building up the rest of their roster in the hopes that – unless Watson or Sanders surprises in the upcoming season – they can drop a top 2027 draftee or quality veteran acquisition into a competitive lineup next year. Neither Green nor 2025 third-rounder Dillon Gabriel are candidates for the QB1 gig at the moment.
“Battle” feels a bit aspirational for this group.
Don’t believe that Sanders will be starting….it will be Watson
Have you seen how bad Watson played in 2024 ? He’s been out of football for 2 years and tore his Achilles twice….he always shows up well in practice…it’s during game action where he crumbles…
I was slightly hopeful he could be competent before his Achilles injury. But wow he lost his fastball no doubt. His arm talent is basically gone.
Odd choice of words during the end of May, ‘competition’ might be more definitive of the endeavor.
Don’t play Watson you’ll never be able to trade him.
They can’t trade him either way…the salary cap hit would be prohibitve.
More importantly he’s a rapist
“Less importantly”—nfl probably
2 Texas grand juries declined to even indict him. Is he a pervert? More than likely. None of the “abused” women accused him of physical abuse or threats.
That makes him “not guilty” not innocent
He has a poison pill in his contract… he’s getting released March 2027….
Sanders & the media won’t be able to scream racism if he loses QB1 to another black QB.
The only color the NFL cares about is “green”. With Monken as a 60 year-old first time head coach who will likely not get another shot at HC, it is truly laughable to think he would even consider race in his selection for any position, let alone starting QB.
The laughable part was the entire sports media melted-down last year when Sanders ‘fell’ to the 5th round. Screams of racism were heard nationwide.
I just love how the media is convinced Sanders isn’t going to develop into the Browns long term answer at QB…. he played 7 games! Behind the practice squad OL that we were down to when he finally got to start….let’s give him a season shall we before declaring the Browns don’t have a franchise QB…..
I’d rather take the “media” view of Shedeur than a Browns homer’s view.
I am a Browns’ fan and I truly don’t know if Sanders can be a competent QB1. Tracenv makes valid points. Mahomes would have had a hard winning with the OL and WRs of the Browns in 2025. Sanders showed promise, but I’m not convinced he’s worthy of QB1 right now, either.
Also a Browns fan here, and I agree that I don’t know if Sanders can be a competent QB1. OL and WR were a mess last year (WR for multiple years under Andrew Berry to be honest).
Sanders was objectively bad for much of his time starting (Titans game was his best showing). Who knows what went on behind the scences with him and Stefanski, but if our local media in Cleveland is noting that Watson looks better in camp (make what you will of what “better” looks like because Watson in actual game conditions has also been horrible), then I agree that Sanders probably isn’t worthy of QB1.
The local media here in Cleveland, has salivated over Sanders since he was drafted. Between Sanders off-field media attention issues and his personality, I honestly would rather Sanders be on another team.
I agree Sanders was objectively bad much of the time, but showed some promise. What i liked is there was visible improvement in some of his key flaws as he got some game experience and work with the 1st team:
much less drifting when in the picket. He started stepping into the pocket more.
when the pocket broke down, he kept his eyes upfield as he scrambled
when he had to run, he was much more decisive
Still needs to work on faster reads and decisively expecting people people to be open
Still needs to improve accuracy
Is there enough skill there to be a competent QB1? Still don’t know.
He’s horrible!! Just stop!
“I paid good money for this house. I don’t care if it’s teetering on top of a sink hole, filled with asbestos and that it burned to nothing but a pile of rubble…I’m still going to live here. I paid good money for this house.”
The past is prologue. Review the FO handling of the QB position last year & you’ll know what to expect.
Sanders had some fun drives/moments last year that tend to mask how horrible he was overall. I’m not saying he can’t get better, and it will obviously help if there’s improvement at OL/WR, but I didn’t see anything from him that made me think he was “the guy”. Still, I’d take him in a heartbeat over Watson, if only to give him some runway to prove himself. Watson has already proved he’s washed and worthless and doesn’t deserve a third or fourth chance.