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The Cleveland Browns are one of the many teams that are managing a quarterback competition this offseason. Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are battling it out for the starting job in a competition that is likely to last all the way until training camp and the preseason.
Sanders and Watson have taken very different paths to this point. The former is entering just his second season in the league and had a very rocky rookie year after being inserted into the lineup late in the year.
Watson, on the other hand, has struggled mightily ever since being traded to Cleveland from the Houston Texans and getting a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. The former Clemson star missed all of last season after suffering a torn Achilles, but now he is back heathy and looking to re-establish himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
While there are still many months to go until the regular season, Watson is confident that he can get back to that level this season. At mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, he talked about why he feels like he has a great chance to turn things around in Cleveland this season, via Mary Kay Cabot.
#Browns Deshaun Watson believes this will be his best opportunity to succeed here “bc it’s the next one” pic.twitter.com/0yawmbOKEZ
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 10, 2026
“It’s the next opportunity,” Watson said. “I can’t look in the past, I can’t look in the rearview mirror. Obviously, there were situations, you have those experiences. At the same time, you’ve gotta keep pushing forward.”
Things certainly haven’t been pretty when Watson has been on the field in a Browns uniform. In 19 career games with the Browns, Watson has thrown for just 3,365 yards and 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions, so there is plenty of room for improvement heading into 2026.
The Browns have completely revamped their offense around the quarterbacks, starting with new head coach Todd Monken. Cleveland also took a pair of wide receivers, KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, in the first 40 picks, so there are plenty of weapons for Watson to work with. If he does find his best football, the Browns will be a team to watch this season.
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