The Cleveland Browns have officially concluded their quarterback battle ahead of the 2026 campaign, with Deshaun Watson being named the starter over Shedeur Sanders. While Sanders made a late push for the job, Watson’s experience helped him earn the job to begin the new season.
Regardless of what decision Cleveland made, there was going to be some controversy surrounding the team’s quarterback. Selecting Watson is obviously the more eye-opening call, but according to one NFL insider, this decision came right down to the wire, and there’s no guarantee that the three-time Pro Bowler will remain the starter for the entire year.
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The decision from head coach Todd Monken to pit Watson and Sanders against each other during training camp was quite intriguing. Watson represents the Browns’ past as a failed investment who has turned himself into arguably the most disliked player in the league. Sanders, on the other hand, could represent Cleveland’s future, as there’s hope that he could become its long-term starter under center.
And yet, all summer long, it seemed like Watson had the inside track to be the starter over Sanders. With his entire $46 million salary for the 2026 campaign being guaranteed, the front office can’t really move on from Watson, so if he’s going to stick around in town, it makes sense to give him one last shot under center.
An ugly preseason performance against the Buffalo Bills (5/12, 36 YDS, 1 INT) and some controversial comments made after the game seemingly opened the door for Sanders to steal the job from Watson, but the team opted to stick with Watson for the time being. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, though, tabbing Watson as the starter isn’t something Cleveland did lightly, as he’s going to have to consistently prove he is worthy of leading the team’s offense.
“Sources say that the decision between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders truly came down to the end,” Schultz reported in a post on X. “Both showed flashes of what a QB1 in Todd Monken’s offense could look like. In the end, the decision leaned toward Watson’s experience. But it’s my understanding that he will have to continue earning it once the season starts and the games are for real. Todd Monken has been by his side the entire time.”
Browns Leave the Door Open to Turn to Shedeur Sanders in 2026
GettyThe Browns have announced that Deshaun Watson has won their starting quarterback job over Shedeur Sanders
Expectations aren’t high for the Browns in 2026, so there’s really no harm in rolling with Watson to begin the year. His deal is already a lost cause, but the team may as well try to extract as much value from him as it can. This will also allow Sanders more time to develop behind the scenes, which should benefit him considering how it’s only his second year in the league.
Cleveland has made it abundantly clear, though, that just because Watson is the Week 1 starter, it doesn’t mean he will be the Week 2 starter. He’s going to have to prove the Browns made the right decision with him in order to maintain his spot on the depth chart, or else Monken will turn to Sanders. So while Watson won the job for now, the quarterback situation out in Cleveland is almost certainly going to be a storyline all season long.
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