Outspoken ESPN personality Pat McAfee took notice of the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition taking a turn after Deshaun Watson delivered his strongest practice of training camp.
Watson completed 17 of 20 passes with seven touchdowns and no interceptions during Wednesday’s session, according to ESPN Cleveland’s QB Tracker. The performance drew a blunt two-word reaction from ESPN personality Pat McAfee.
“HOLY (expletive),” McAfee wrote on X.
The touchdown total came with some context. All seven scores were recorded during a red-zone 7-on-7 period, where quarterbacks do not face a pass rush. Still, Watson was sharp throughout the session and looked comfortable operating the offense. That hasn’t always been the case during camp.
McAfee’s reaction is notable because he has been open about his support for Shedeur Sanders through training camp.
“We are a pro-Shedeur show,” McAfee said earlier this month. “I think we have been, even when the stats didn’t look like it. As soon as he got on the field for the Browns, they found a spark and were winning games. I don’t want the Browns to do classic Browns stuff. Shedeur was winning for you guys.”
Deshaun Watson Bounces Back in Browns QB Competition
GettyThe Cleveland Browns have revealed the preseason plan for Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson.
Watson needed the response after an uneven start to camp that included six interceptions through the opening practices.
The performance provided a reminder of the talent that convinced Cleveland to make its blockbuster trade for Watson in 2022. That ability has appeared only in brief flashes during his Browns tenure, which has been interrupted by a suspension and significant shoulder and Achilles injuries.
Watson missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing a second procedure on his ruptured Achilles. He has maintained throughout camp that he is healthy and focused on rebuilding his football conditioning.
“I feel healthy,” Watson said earlier in camp. “Now it’s just about getting back in football shape.”
Browns QB Battle Remains Wide Open
One strong practice will not decide the competition, but Watson’s performance kept him firmly in the race with Shedeur Sanders. Head coach Todd Monken has rotated Watson and Sanders with the first-team offense throughout camp. Monken has resisted naming a leader, repeatedly saying he wants one of the quarterbacks to separate through their play.
Watson did not carry the momentum into the following practice on Thursday. He completed 11 of 16 passes with no touchdowns and one interception Thursday. Sanders also finished 11 of 16 with one touchdown and one interception. Dillon Gabriel went 6 of 9 while receiving some work with the second team.
The Browns plan to use the preseason to help settle the competition. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported that Monken will start one quarterback in the opener against the Chicago Bears and the other in Cleveland’s second exhibition against the Buffalo Bills. The leading candidate would start the third and final preseason game. However, Monken downplayed the significance of that potential rotation.
“He wasn’t wrong in what we talked about, which, you’ve all known they’re going to play in the preseason. Someone has to go out there for the first snap,” Monken said. “Thus, they would be the one who starts. But at this point we’re so far from that, it’s not as important as it was made out to be.”
Monken said the rotation will continue until one quarterback begins to separate himself. The distribution of practice reps should offer the clearest indication of which contender is emerging as the projected starter.
Pat McAfee Had 2-Word Message on Browns QB Deshaun Watson