Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders: Browns QB competition has strong leader

BEREA, OHIO - APRIL 21: Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Cleveland Browns looks on as Deshaun Watson #4 runs a drill during a voluntary veteran minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 21, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images Everything that was old is new again when it comes to the Cleveland Browns. After getting to see the three quarterbacks on the field for the first time, new HC Todd Monken verbalized a similar approach as old HC Kevin Stefanski, plus the use of helmet cams .

Then, when the Browns added QB Taylen Green in the 2026 NFL draft , Monken noted using the same “two-spotting” to allow the quarterbacks to get enough snaps. After calling QB Deshaun Watson a swing and miss previously, Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam noted that they were open to a fresh start . QB Shedeur Sanders ended last season as the starter and is squarely in any kind of quarterback competition.

The Browns also reportedly have a plan to keep QB Dillon Gabriel around despite the addition of Green . According to Mary Kay Cabot , Watson has a clear lead over Sanders for the starting role, already, with the younger quarterback having a lot of ground to catch up: Deshaun Watson emerged from the Browns voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1, sources tell cleveland. com.

(Sanders) But he’s got plenty of ground to make up, and will have to dazzle the coaching staff to land atop the depth chart heading into training camp. Cabot also suggests that Monken should name Watson as the starter sooner rather than later. As our Tom Moore noted , it would make sense for Watson to look good in the shorts and t-shirts environment last week: Last week, Todd Haley was talking about this on Sirius NFL.