Cleveland Browns defensive end Jared Verse has a feeling about who will win the team’s quarterback competition, but he is not ready to share his pick.
Verse was pressed about the battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders during an August 21 appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.”
“I don’t know who it’s going to be. I think I have a vibe on who I think will go out there but I don’t have any know or say,” Verse said. “I’m not going to say it but I have a personal feeling on who I think it will be. Either way, no matter who we go with, I feel confident.”
Cowherd followed up by asking Verse if the quarterback was young, an apparent reference to Sanders.
“I can’t answer any of your questions,” Verse said with a laugh.
Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders Remain in Close Competition
Watson and Sanders have alternated first-team work throughout training camp, with head coach Todd Monken giving each quarterback a preseason start.
Watson opened the preseason against the Chicago Bears, completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards. He did not throw a touchdown or interception but led the Browns to 10 points before leaving the game.
Sanders entered in the second half and completed 5 of 10 passes for 74 yards with an interception. Monken said after reviewing the game that the competition remained close.
“I did feel going into last game that it was relatively close in terms of both having an opportunity at the starting position, so it would be unfair to not go into the next game and give Shedeur that same opportunity,” Monken said 16. “Albeit a different team, certainly at home. There’s no guarantee the same players will be playing in this game, but it’s the closest you have, and we owe it to both players, who have handled it well and competed at a high level.”
The Browns continued evaluating both quarterbacks during their joint practice with the Buffalo Bills. Monken came away encouraged by the overall performance of the offense against Buffalo’s defense.
“The one thing I would say, maybe it was just me, it didn’t look like we were out of place,” Monken said. “It looked like we belong. That’s all we wanted to see: Do we belong? Does our first 11 give us a chance to move the ball and score? I felt that way today.”
Shedeur Sanders Gets Final Audition Against Bills
GettyShedeur Sanders will play without many starters against the Buffalo Bills.
Sanders will start the Browns’ second preseason game against the Bills and play a half. It will be his best remaining opportunity to make a final push for the job.
However, Sanders may not have Cleveland’s full starting offense around him. Monken indicated that several veterans could sit out after receiving significant work during the joint practice. Watson is expected to follow Sanders before Dillon Gabriel receives the remaining snaps.
Monken has not announced a firm deadline for naming his starter, but the Browns will soon shift their attention toward preparing for the regular-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jared Verse Drops Hint on Browns Starting QB Decision