Watson vs. Sanders continues during training camp, but NFL analysts are increasingly questioning why there’s even a competition at all.
It hasn’t exactly been a great week for Deshaun Watson. The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition between Watson and Shedeur Sanders continues during training camp, but NFL analysts are increasingly questioning why there’s even a competition at all.
Chris Simms became the latest to make his opinion crystal clear.
Chris Simms Goes OFF On The Browns Still Having A QB Competition Between Deshaun Watson And Shedeur Sanders:
“I’ve come to the part with this quarterback competition that it’s Shedeur Sanders, Shedeur Sanders, Shedeur Sanders. The more I go through it it’s like, why even waste… pic.twitter.com/Lm2HNtQNsD
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) August 11, 2026
“I’ve come to the part with this quarterback competition that it’s Shedeur Sanders, Shedeur Sanders, Shedeur Sanders. The more I go through it it’s like, why even waste your time with Deshaun Watson? Really? do you think he’s the future of your franchise? I doubt it, c’mon? I doubt it. The fans are just not gonna accept Deshaun Watson being the starter, I wouldn’t be shocked if he goes out there in a pre-season game and gets boo’ed. And then when Shedeur goes in everyone’s like aughhhhhh.”
And Simms isn’t alone. Former NFL executive and current ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum also questioned this week why Cleveland would start Watson over Sanders.
A theme is quickly developing.
If the Browns believe Sanders has legitimate franchise-quarterback potential, there is an argument for finding out what they have as soon as possible. Watson’s tenure in Cleveland hasn’t gone according to plan, and at some point, the organization has to determine what comes next.
Sanders could represent that next chapter. Of course, training camp practices and preseason games still matter. Cleveland shouldn’t hand Sanders the starting job simply because outside analysts want it to happen. He needs to earn it. But every impressive performance from Sanders will make the pressure on the Browns considerably greater.
Watson isn’t just competing against another quarterback anymore. He’s competing against the possibility that Cleveland’s fan base is beyond ready to move on.
It hasn’t exactly been a great week for Deshaun Watson. The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition between Watson and Shedeur Sanders continues during training camp, but NFL analysts are increasingly questioning why there’s even a competition at all. Chris Simms became the latest to make his opinion crystal clear.
