After the Cleveland Browns completed the 2026 NFL Draft, the team has been through offseason activities, with a quarterback battle in the midst ahead of the season that includes Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. As rumors will surround the Browns when it comes to the quarterback battle, there is one that has emerged as the current frontrunner.
According to Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot, Watson has an early lead over Sanders after minicamp last week and “has the inside track” to be announced as the starting quarterback. Per Cabot, new head coach Todd Monken wants to name a starting quarterback by the end of minicamp, around June 9 to the 11th.
“Deshaun Watson emerged from the Browns voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1, sources tell cleveland.com,” Cabot wrote.
“Sanders has about six weeks to close the gap and try to overtake the former three-time Pro Bowler,” Cabot continued.
Why Browns’ Deshaun Watson has an advantage over Shedeur Sanders
Watson last played for the Browns in 2024 and has dealt with an abundance of injuries that have held him back from playing on a full-time basis. Looking at last season, the quarterback room contained Joe Flacco, Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel, with Sanders going 3-4 to close out the year.
The thinking of Watson getting the nod is that he’s a veteran quarterback leading a young offense, but it’s also the adaptability he’s already shown in a new offense under Monken. Cabot would note how some aspects of the new offense were run by the Houston Texans when Watson was there.
“It’s one reason why Watson had an advantage heading in: he’s had to learn many new systems over the past 10 seasons, and there’s plenty of carryover in terms of both terminology and plays. What’s more, Monken’s offense features some of the same spread and other passing concepts that Watson excelled in with the Texans, and he’s adapting quickly,” Cabot wrote.
At any rate, it remains to be seen when Cleveland will announce its starting quarterback.
After the Cleveland Browns completed the 2026 NFL Draft, the team has been through offseason activities, with a quarterback battle in the midst ahead of the season that includes Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. As rumors will surround the Browns when it comes to the quarterback battle, there is one that has emerged as the current frontrunner.
