The Cleveland Browns are heading into training camp with another quarterback competition. This time, the spotlight is on veteran Deshaun Watson and second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who will compete for the starting job under new head coach Todd Monken.
Both quarterbacks shared first-team reps during offseason workouts, but Monken has not announced a starter. Instead, he plans to evaluate both players during padded practices and potentially through preseason games before making a decision.
Shedeur Sanders Has a Real Chance to Win QB1
Shedeur Sanders enters training camp after an eventful rookie season. Although he was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, he quickly became one of the Browns’ most talked-about players.
Shedeur Sanders did not receive any first-team reps during his first training camp and opened the regular season as Cleveland’s emergency quarterback on game days. However, his role changed as the season progressed.
His NFL debut came in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens after entering the game in the second half. The outing was difficult as he completed 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards with one interception. Still, Shedeur Sanders responded the following week by earning his first career win as a starter against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Shedeur Sanders remained Cleveland’s starting quarterback for the final seven games of the season. He finished with a 3-4 record, including victories over AFC North rivals Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals to close the year.
His rookie campaign featured flashes of playmaking ability with both his arm and his mobility. At the same time, he also experienced common rookie challenges, including holding the ball too long and committing costly turnovers.
One statistic highlighted an area that needs improvement. Sanders averaged 3.24 seconds before throwing the football, the longest average among the 38 quarterbacks who made at least six starts during the 2025 season.
The Browns believe progress has already been made during the offseason.
“I think he’s being more decisive,” Monken said in June.
“Now, it’s easy to say we’re not in pads. It just feels like he’s making quicker decisions. The ball’s coming out of his hands, which he’s going to have to do. Not that he doesn’t have playmaking ability, because he does, but his ability to process quicker and get the ball out of his hands and eliminate lost yardage plays is going to be huge for us to be able to stack plays and score, which is ultimately the No. 1 thing here.”
That development could play an important role as Sanders competes for the starting position throughout training camp.
Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson is attempting to reclaim the job after an injury-plagued stretch with Cleveland.
Watson has appeared in only 19 games since joining the Browns in 2022 after the franchise acquired him in a blockbuster trade and signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. His latest setback came after suffering a torn Achilles tendon that required two surgeries and kept him out for the entire 2025 season.
According to the Browns, Watson looked healthy during spring workouts, and Monken praised his athletic ability.
“Deshaun’s athleticism shows up,” Monken said in May. “Obviously he’s had that, but he’s had injuries that have set him back. I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise, but it’s exciting to see — it’s a weapon for him. It’s one of his superpowers, his athleticism.”
The Quarterback Room also Includes Dillon Gabriel and Rookie Taylen Green
Gabriel enters camp after serving as a backup during his rookie season. Browns general manager Andrew Berry recently reaffirmed the organization’s confidence in him.
“He may be forgotten externally, but he’s not forgotten to us,” Berry said in February. “[He’s] going to handle everything within his control … Dillon’s a guy that has a bright future in this league.”
Green, a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is viewed as a developmental quarterback with impressive athletic traits. Head coach Todd Monken has praised Green’s ability to absorb the offense while continuing to develop as a passer.
“I’ve been super impressed with his ability to really learn, process and take it to the field and then getting through his progressions, really impressive,” Monken said in May.
As training camp begins, the Browns have not named a starting quarterback. The competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson remains open, with preseason practices and games expected to play a major role in determining who takes the first snap of the regular season.