As training camp for the Cleveland Browns continues, fans were finally able to see their 2026 squad in person July 31 for Day 3.
Doors opened for fans at 12:30 p.m. and seats filled up quickly. Fans entering the training facility wanted an answer to the lingering question of who will be the starting quarterback.
As we know, the matchup for the starting role barring an unforeseen change is between veteran Deshaun Watson and second-year player Shedeur Sanders.
Watson hasn’t played since October 2024, when he ruptured his Achilles tendon, and Sanders was the starting quarterback from Week 12 on during the 2025 season. He played eight games and ended with 1,400 passing yards and a 56.6% completion rate.
Wrist Up, Four’s down: Fans favor Sanders over Watson
As fans watched the quarterbacks, they analyzed.
The majority of fans seem to be rooting for Sanders. And although some say Sanders is their pick to start, they also believe Watson will likely be the starter because of his past NFL experience.
Browns coach Todd Monken says ‘play decides’ who gets QB1 role
On Day 1 of camp July 29, coach Todd Monken was firm on not naming the starter just yet.
“I’m not going to decide who the starter is; they decide, by their play. Their play decides who the starter is, I don’t have any preconceived notions of how they’ve played in the past or how they’re going to play,” Monken said.
He wants the QBs to compete and have a fair chance to compete for the role.
“They’ll decide who plays; I don’t decide who plays. The players decide who plays.”
Where do Watson and Sanders rank?
In May, Sports Illustrated ranked Sanders as QB1 and had Watson being traded. Sanders’ stats by the end of the 2025 season looked solid for a rookie.
Bleacher Report had Watson at QB1 in April, believing he had the better chance at leading the Browns’ offense for a winning season. The report said that in his 19 starts for the Browns he had the better percentages and had better on-target rates than Sanders.
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Who fans think should be Browns QB1 after Day 3 of training camp
Reporting by Alisson Toro-Lagos, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alisson Toro-Lagos, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
