Cleveland Browns QB battle heats up: Sanders vs. Watson

Cleveland Browns Shedeur Sanders Deshaun Watson quarterback battle preseason starts

The Cleveland Browns are evaluating two quarterbacks for the 2026 season starter role. Shedeur Sanders, the 2025 fifth‑round pick, was ranked last (35th) among 35 veteran QBs in a poll of NFL executives and coaches, with comments that he is “inaccurate at all three levels” and has a “huge gap” from competent play. Deshaun Watson, the former first‑round pick, returned from two Achilles surgeries and a lengthy suspension, but threw six interceptions in the first four practices of training camp.

Head coach Todd Monken has outlined a preseason plan that gives each quarterback a start in one of the first two preseason games, leaving the third game open for backup Dillon Gabriel, who has earned additional reps but remains third on the depth chart. A prediction‑market platform (Kalshi) shows Sanders with a 45 % chance to begin the season as starter and Watson at 53 %.

Both players have drawn mixed performance reviews: Watson’s interceptions and Sanders’ progress in the pocket have been highlighted, while Gabriel’s recent play has been praised but is not expected to alter the primary competition. The outcome will determine the Browns’ offensive direction heading into the regular season.

Entities

Andrew Berry · Cleveland Browns · Deshaun Watson · Dillon Gabriel · Shedeur Sanders · Todd Monken

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Kalshi prediction market gave Shedeur Sanders a 45 % chance to start the season and Deshaun Watson a 53 % chance. www.themirror.com
[DISPUTED] Deshaun Watson threw six interceptions in the first four practices of Browns training camp. heavy.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Shedeur Sanders was ranked last (35th) among 35 veteran quarterbacks in a poll of NFL executives and coaches. www.sportskeeda.com · nypost.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Shedeur Sanders threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and ten interceptions in the 2025 season, completing 56.6 % of passes. nypost.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Deshaun Watson signed a five‑year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract in 2022, with $46 million base each of the final two seasons. nfltraderumors.co
[● 2 SOURCES] Dillon Gabriel received increased reps in training camp and could start the third preseason game, but remains third on the depth chart. www.si.com · bleacherreport.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] NFL executives and coaches described Shedeur Sanders as “inaccurate at all three levels” with a “huge gap” from competent quarterback play. www.sportskeeda.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Head coach Todd Monken plans to start Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson each in one of the first two preseason games. nfltraderumors.co · thesportsrush.com