While Deshaun Watson was named as the early frontrunner for the starting quarterback job with the Cleveland Browns, it appears that the margin between him and Shedeur Sanders has narrowed significantly as the team gets set for training camp.
Part of this margin evaporating for Watson could be due to his arm appearing fatigued, as reported on by Cleveland dot com’s Mary Kay Cabot, and part of it may have to do with some evident growth from Sanders as well. It has gotten to the point where NFL insiders no longer feel comfortable picking a side between Sanders and Watson as the Browns start another season under new head coach Todd Monken.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano went on ESPN’s Get Up, and did not have a definitive frontrunner in the battle anymore. Here is what Graziano had to say on the upcoming quarterback battle in Cleveland:
“Week 1, boy, I’d flip a coin. I’m gonna say probably Deshaun Watson, but I believe Shedeur Sanders has the opportunity to win the job in camp. It’s a brand new coaching staff. At the beginning, they were very excited to see Deshaun Watson healthy, which he has not been for a while. When their offseason began, I think that’s probably where they were leaning. Shedeur Sanders, to my understanding, has performed well throughout the offseason and made it, at least, a question mark. For me, I don’t know what’s gained by Deshaun Watson starting games for you this year if you’re the Browns.”
What the Browns should do in 2026
Graziano is correct. The Browns will gain nothing by playing Watson in 2026, at least as the starter. We’ve seen plenty of football from Watson in 2026, and coming off of two achilles tears, it’s hard to see a scenario where he returns as a steeply better football player.
While Sanders may not be much better, coming off a rough time as a starting quarterback during his rookie season, the Browns can at least give themselves a definitive answer on their future at the position. This season likely ends in the Browns drafting another quarterback at the top of the 2027 NFL Draft, so you better be sure about your young quarterback first.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns QB competition enters training camp as a ‘coin flip’
Reporting by Cory Kinnan, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cory Kinnan, Browns Wire | USA TODAY Network
