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BEREA — Shedeur Sanders is among the most popular celebrity athletes in the NFL, and Deshaun Watson is the least likable quarterback in the league.
The dynamic has made Sanders the people's champion in the competition to become the starting QB of the Browns.
The Browns wrapped up their three-day mandatory minicamp on Thursday, June 11, with neither Sanders nor Watson separating himself enough to compel coach Todd Monken to declare a winner.
Judging spring practices can be foolish because real football is not on display, but if you're thirsty for a QB derby update, just know Sanders built a bit of momentum during minicamp while Watson labored to tread water.
The QB duel will resume when training camp begins in late July, with Sanders and Watson alternating at the controls of the first-team offense, Monken said. Unlike organized team activities and minicamp, fans will be able to attend training camp.
The last time Watson performed in front of Browns fans, he suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon on Oct. 20, 2024, against the Cincinnati Bengals and heard members of the Cleveland crowd cheer for his demise.
"I had emotions at the time, but you grow out of it," Watson said June 10.
Watson ruptured the same Achilles tendon on the comeback trail, underwent a second surgery in January 2025 and sat out all of last season.
Unfortunately for the Browns, they have yet to outgrow their disastrous Watson era. In March 2022, the Browns traded six draft picks, including three in the first round, to the Houston Texans in the ill-fated deal for Watson. The Browns also gave him a five-year contract worth $230 million fully guaranteed.
Several NFL teams explored the possibility of acquiring Watson despite more than two dozen women accusing him of sexual assault or sexual misconduct during massage appointments when he played for the Texans. The Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints even met with Watson and presented recruiting pitches. However, only the Browns begged Watson with a record-setting deal for guaranteed money after his camp had informed Cleveland he would not waive his no-trade clause for the Jimmy Haslam-owned franchise.
Watson's Browns career has yielded an 11-game suspension stemming from the aforementioned allegations, a starting record of 9-10, surgery to his throwing shoulder in November 2023 and two surgeries to his right Achilles tendon.
As Watson's rehabilitation continued last year, the Browns ended Sanders' stunning 2025 NFL Draft slide by picking him in the fifth round (No. 144 overall) out of Colorado. He started the final seven games of his rookie season and went 3-4. The Browns finished 5-12, fired coach Kevin Stefanski and hired Monken.
Browns column: As Joel Bitonio retires, Cleveland should offer him special role | Opinion
In many ways, the coaching change has given Watson a fresh start with the Browns. A year ago, many people inside Browns headquarters could not have envisioned Watson as a viable candidate to start for Cleveland again.
The most honest words a Browns official has uttered in public about Watson came from Haslam when he called the trade with the Texans "a big swing and miss" during the NFL owners meetings in March 2025. The vast ripple effect of the blockbuster backfiring has contributed to other franchise-altering decisions, including the recent Myles Garrett trade.
Yet, here we go again with Watson because the Browns have put him in contention to start when they open the regular season Sept. 13 at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Browns column: This is why Denzel Ward is the new face of the franchise | Opinion
The Browns starting Watson over Sanders would defy logic because one quarterback is a potential future option for the rebuilding organization and the other is not, or at least should not be.
Although Sanders cannot possibly be considered a long-term answer at this point, the Browns ought to further develop him and learn more about what he could become in the NFL. Watson is in the final year of his contract, and general manager Andrew Berry has said "there's no rule against" extending Watson's deal. But extending a 31-year-old QB (it'll be Watson's age in September) who has a surgically repaired throwing shoulder and a twice-surgically repaired Achilles tendon would not make sense.
Berry and Browns ownership are obviously holding out hope about the worst trade in NFL history miraculously being salvaged. It's human nature, but it's also embarrassing.
The concept of marketability must be a factor in the big-picture quarterback outlook, too. Monken said he only cares about "whoever gives us the best chance to score," but NFL organizations often expect a starting quarterback to serve as the face of the franchise.
The Browns included Sanders in their 2026 schedule release video while excluding Watson. The truth is the response to Watson in Northeast Ohio has been a mixed bag. There are many fans who are willing to overlook what he has been accused of doing and support him if he wins. There are others who want nothing to do with the Browns as long as he's on the roster.
Four years ago, Browns ownership essentially said it's understandable for fans, especially survivors of sexual abuse, to be triggered by the Watson trade. This year, fans have received a lecture about needing to back Watson.
"If he's our starting quarterback, I know there are people that probably won't be supportive," Browns managing partner JW Johnson, the son-in-law of Jimmy and Dee Haslam, told ESPN Cleveland WKNR (850-AM) in April. "But they should need to be supportive as much as they can. And if he plays great, then, hey, awesome. If he doesn't, then it is what it is, and we're looking ahead to the future."
There's a chance Sanders could be the future. Based on charisma alone, he is capable of uniting a fan base at odds over Watson. There appears to be some reluctance, though. Sanders is seemingly aware of his status as the people's champ but not necessarily comfortable with the notion of being pitted against Watson.
Iron sharpens iron and competition brings out the best in everyone, unless a combatant is fearful of stepping on another's porcelain toes.
“See, I think the way how y’all [in the media] look at things is different than how we look at things," Sanders said June 10. "We look at coming to practice every day, being the best player we can be as an individual and as a good teammate. Y’all look at it as like a competition."
Sanders also took exception to a media member's question about whether he would attend player-orchestrated workouts organized by Watson or invite teammates to his own training sessions this summer.
“I just think that was just a question to try to start something, honestly," Sanders said. "I think we’re a team. If one of us chooses to do something, we’re all going to do it together as a team. It’s not no individual thing. So that’s the thing — the quarterback room, we're all connected. We're all cool.
"There’s nobody’s single, individual idea because that creates separation with, 'OK, now, what receivers are gonna show up for this guy?' Nah, we're all a team. We’re all gonna come [together] as one. We’re all gonna get together as one team and get things done. [Each quarterback hosting his own workout] causes separation and just a messed-up vibe, and it’s like that’s not really what we’re on this year. We’re on being a great team.”
It's commendable for Sanders to oppose any whiff of a divided locker room, yet Sanders feeling the need to push back so strongly against questions about competition is awkward.
Then again, Cleveland's entire Watson experience has been awkward, and it will continue to be the case this summer in training camp.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Shedeur Sanders is people's champ in Browns QB duel vs. Deshaun Watson
Continue reading...
The dynamic has made Sanders the people's champion in the competition to become the starting QB of the Browns.
The Browns wrapped up their three-day mandatory minicamp on Thursday, June 11, with neither Sanders nor Watson separating himself enough to compel coach Todd Monken to declare a winner.
Judging spring practices can be foolish because real football is not on display, but if you're thirsty for a QB derby update, just know Sanders built a bit of momentum during minicamp while Watson labored to tread water.
The QB duel will resume when training camp begins in late July, with Sanders and Watson alternating at the controls of the first-team offense, Monken said. Unlike organized team activities and minicamp, fans will be able to attend training camp.
The last time Watson performed in front of Browns fans, he suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon on Oct. 20, 2024, against the Cincinnati Bengals and heard members of the Cleveland crowd cheer for his demise.
"I had emotions at the time, but you grow out of it," Watson said June 10.
Watson ruptured the same Achilles tendon on the comeback trail, underwent a second surgery in January 2025 and sat out all of last season.
Unfortunately for the Browns, they have yet to outgrow their disastrous Watson era. In March 2022, the Browns traded six draft picks, including three in the first round, to the Houston Texans in the ill-fated deal for Watson. The Browns also gave him a five-year contract worth $230 million fully guaranteed.
Several NFL teams explored the possibility of acquiring Watson despite more than two dozen women accusing him of sexual assault or sexual misconduct during massage appointments when he played for the Texans. The Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints even met with Watson and presented recruiting pitches. However, only the Browns begged Watson with a record-setting deal for guaranteed money after his camp had informed Cleveland he would not waive his no-trade clause for the Jimmy Haslam-owned franchise.
Watson's Browns career has yielded an 11-game suspension stemming from the aforementioned allegations, a starting record of 9-10, surgery to his throwing shoulder in November 2023 and two surgeries to his right Achilles tendon.
As Watson's rehabilitation continued last year, the Browns ended Sanders' stunning 2025 NFL Draft slide by picking him in the fifth round (No. 144 overall) out of Colorado. He started the final seven games of his rookie season and went 3-4. The Browns finished 5-12, fired coach Kevin Stefanski and hired Monken.
Browns column: As Joel Bitonio retires, Cleveland should offer him special role | Opinion
In many ways, the coaching change has given Watson a fresh start with the Browns. A year ago, many people inside Browns headquarters could not have envisioned Watson as a viable candidate to start for Cleveland again.
The most honest words a Browns official has uttered in public about Watson came from Haslam when he called the trade with the Texans "a big swing and miss" during the NFL owners meetings in March 2025. The vast ripple effect of the blockbuster backfiring has contributed to other franchise-altering decisions, including the recent Myles Garrett trade.
Yet, here we go again with Watson because the Browns have put him in contention to start when they open the regular season Sept. 13 at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Browns column: This is why Denzel Ward is the new face of the franchise | Opinion
The Browns starting Watson over Sanders would defy logic because one quarterback is a potential future option for the rebuilding organization and the other is not, or at least should not be.
Although Sanders cannot possibly be considered a long-term answer at this point, the Browns ought to further develop him and learn more about what he could become in the NFL. Watson is in the final year of his contract, and general manager Andrew Berry has said "there's no rule against" extending Watson's deal. But extending a 31-year-old QB (it'll be Watson's age in September) who has a surgically repaired throwing shoulder and a twice-surgically repaired Achilles tendon would not make sense.
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Berry and Browns ownership are obviously holding out hope about the worst trade in NFL history miraculously being salvaged. It's human nature, but it's also embarrassing.
The concept of marketability must be a factor in the big-picture quarterback outlook, too. Monken said he only cares about "whoever gives us the best chance to score," but NFL organizations often expect a starting quarterback to serve as the face of the franchise.
The Browns included Sanders in their 2026 schedule release video while excluding Watson. The truth is the response to Watson in Northeast Ohio has been a mixed bag. There are many fans who are willing to overlook what he has been accused of doing and support him if he wins. There are others who want nothing to do with the Browns as long as he's on the roster.
Four years ago, Browns ownership essentially said it's understandable for fans, especially survivors of sexual abuse, to be triggered by the Watson trade. This year, fans have received a lecture about needing to back Watson.
"If he's our starting quarterback, I know there are people that probably won't be supportive," Browns managing partner JW Johnson, the son-in-law of Jimmy and Dee Haslam, told ESPN Cleveland WKNR (850-AM) in April. "But they should need to be supportive as much as they can. And if he plays great, then, hey, awesome. If he doesn't, then it is what it is, and we're looking ahead to the future."
There's a chance Sanders could be the future. Based on charisma alone, he is capable of uniting a fan base at odds over Watson. There appears to be some reluctance, though. Sanders is seemingly aware of his status as the people's champ but not necessarily comfortable with the notion of being pitted against Watson.
Iron sharpens iron and competition brings out the best in everyone, unless a combatant is fearful of stepping on another's porcelain toes.
“See, I think the way how y’all [in the media] look at things is different than how we look at things," Sanders said June 10. "We look at coming to practice every day, being the best player we can be as an individual and as a good teammate. Y’all look at it as like a competition."
You must be registered for see images attach
Sanders also took exception to a media member's question about whether he would attend player-orchestrated workouts organized by Watson or invite teammates to his own training sessions this summer.
“I just think that was just a question to try to start something, honestly," Sanders said. "I think we’re a team. If one of us chooses to do something, we’re all going to do it together as a team. It’s not no individual thing. So that’s the thing — the quarterback room, we're all connected. We're all cool.
"There’s nobody’s single, individual idea because that creates separation with, 'OK, now, what receivers are gonna show up for this guy?' Nah, we're all a team. We’re all gonna come [together] as one. We’re all gonna get together as one team and get things done. [Each quarterback hosting his own workout] causes separation and just a messed-up vibe, and it’s like that’s not really what we’re on this year. We’re on being a great team.”
It's commendable for Sanders to oppose any whiff of a divided locker room, yet Sanders feeling the need to push back so strongly against questions about competition is awkward.
Then again, Cleveland's entire Watson experience has been awkward, and it will continue to be the case this summer in training camp.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Shedeur Sanders is people's champ in Browns QB duel vs. Deshaun Watson
Continue reading...
