‘Clear Leader’ May Have Emerged in Cleveland Browns’ QB Competition

[ASFN Admin]

Under new leadership, the Cleveland Browns are in the midst of a starting quarterback competition. First-year head coach Todd Monken is giving both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders a fresh start. Over a week into training camp, the battle seemed pretty fair on both sides; no clear leader had emerged. Until Saturday.

Now, it sounds like the Browns do have a quarterback separating himself from the pack.

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Deshaun Watson May Have ‘Leg Up’ as Cleveland Browns QB1​

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Jul 30, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) talk during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Multiple reporters are now indicating that Watson may be in pole position to be the Browns’ starting QB when the 2026 season kicks off.

Most of the buzz started when the Browns changed their practice plans on Saturday, when suddenly Watson received all of the reps with the first-team offense. Previously, the plan had been for Sanders to operate with the starting offense. A team spokesman mentioned that Monken’s change came because he wanted to see the former Pro Bowler operate with specific personnel groupings.

Meanwhile, The Athletic‘s Browns insider Zac Jackson took Saturday’s change as the “first strong sign that Monken views Watson as the clear leader of what’s been an uneven and unremarkable competition through two weeks of camp.” Jackson added that “Saturday was Watson’s strongest overall throwing day of camp, too, marking his third impressive performance of the Browns’ long week.”

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network agreed that Watson seems to be the frontrunner so far.

“Just judging from the landscape of this, I know it is a quarterback battle that is still open, but it certainly seems like Deshaun Watson has the leg up here. He is the one who is more well-versed in the Browns’ offensive operation. Really, just operation in general, running an offense, getting the Browns in and out of the huddle, getting the team in and out of the right play. It’s been a bit of an up-and-down camp. But in the Watson versus Sanders, feels to me at least like Watson is the more likely option. Shedeur’s flashed in camp. He’s made some plays that’s made them say, ‘Ok this guy’s got some talent.’ But just as far as dependability and play-in, play-out, feels to me like Watson. That said, does not mean that the guy who starts in Week 1, is the guy who ends up playing, my sense is that both end up.”

Ian Rapoport on Cleveland Browns QBs

Sanders is just entering his second season, and he still has two years left on his contract after the 2026 campaign expires. Even if the 24-year-old doesn’t begin as the starter, he’ll have plenty of time to earn another opportunity.

For now, the more experienced Watson, with his 72 NFL starts, seems to be ahead of Sanders, who has just seven starts under his belt. That shouldn’t come as a great surprise. Yet, just because Watson may be in line to begin as the starter in Week 1, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll remain in that spot all season long.

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