Pro Football Rumors
New Browns head coach Todd Monken said earlier in the offseason his preference would be for a starting quarterback to be in place ahead of training camp. Instead, the competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will continue through the summer.
[RELATED: Browns Could Consider Second Watson Contract]
The perception with respect to which passer holds the lead in this case has shifted over time. Things can of course change once padded practices and preseason games begin, but at the moment Watson is seen as being in the lead. That is expected to remain the case leading up to training camp.
A “strong sense” exists around the league that Watson will end up getting the nod for 2026, SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora reports. Finances have been cited as the primary cause. Watson has one year remaining on the fully guaranteed deal he signed upon arrival in Cleveland following the blockbuster trade which ended his Texans tenure. That acquisition has proven to be one of the worst missteps in NFL history, but a full season with Watson atop the depth chart could allow for Cleveland to recoup some value. Owner Jimmy Haslam previously labeled the Watson move a “swing and miss,” although his stance on that front has since changed to a degree.
The role of ownership in the original Watson trade/signing has long been a talking point. Watson spending 2026 atop the depth chart would no doubt add further to the belief Monken and general manager Andrew Berry have received pressure to give the 30-year-old another opportunity following poor play and two Achilles tears. On the other hand, ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi writes Watson has looked healthy during spring practices while also showing increased aggression regarding his downfield passing compared to his last on-field appearances.
Monken has offered praise for Sanders in advance of the 2025 fifth-rounder’s first training camp including work with the starting offense. La Canfora adds Monken remains “very much interested” in evaluating Sanders through training camp and the preseason. The 24-year-old logged seven starts to close out his rookie season, and his showing if/when he finds himself on the field in 2026 could go a long way in determining how the Browns plan for a QB move next spring.
This situation will be one to watch closely as the summer unfolds. For now, though, Watson appears to be in pole position leading into training camp, and a stretch of games as QB1 to open the 2026 campaign would not come as a surprise to league observers.
