Cleveland Browns QB battle heats up as Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson compete for starter

The Cleveland Browns entered training camp with a closely watched quarterback competition between second‑year starter Shedeur Sanders and veteran Deshaun Watson. Both players received public praise from general manager Andrew Berry, who said the decision will be performance‑based after the team completes its offensive installations. Coach Todd Monken emphasized that the starter will not be named until the preseason, noting the importance of evaluating how each quarterback handles the playbook and line‑of‑scrimmage execution.

Watson, whose five‑year, $230 million contract expires after the 2026 season, has been given a chance to prove he can stay healthy after missing the 2025 season with Achilles injuries. Owner Jimmy Haslam left the door open to a possible extension if Watson wins the job. Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, continues to develop his pre‑snap reads and consistency after a rookie season that earned him a Pro Bowl nod.

Additional Browns news includes a planned $2.6 billion stadium slated to open in 2029 that will feature an artificial‑turf surface, sparking debate with the NFL Players Association, and a recent visit by Deion Sanders to the Browns’ training facility, which generated discussion about the influence of his presence on his son’s competition.