Shedeur Sanders no longer QB1 in Cleveland and it’s a bad decision
The Cleveland Browns quarterback competition may already be tilting, and not in the direction many expected. According to Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot, Deshaun Watson has taken the lead over Shedeur Sanders and now has the inside track to be named QB1. It is a huge decision, considering that the quarterback is the most important position in the NFL .
“I think they should declare him QB1 asap and let the 1st team offense start to cook. There’s no time to waste,” Cabot said via X. And if that’s truly the direction Cleveland is heading, it raises a major question: Are the Browns making a mistake before the season even begins?
MORE: Draft wins won’t save Cleveland Browns from organizational chaos Feb 3, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken, second left, poses with managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam, left, managing partner JW Johnson, second right and managing partner Whitney Haslam Johnson during an introductory press conference at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images A Decision That Feels Rushed Head coach Todd Monken has indicated the team hopes to identify a starter by the end of minicamp (June 9–11). That gives Sanders roughly six weeks to close the gap.
But the tone around the situation already suggests the decision may be leaning heavily toward Watson. And that’s where the concern begins. On paper, the logic is simple: Watson is a three-time Pro Bowler with experience.
Sanders is still proving himself. But this isn’t just about resumes, it’s about trajectory. Sanders represents: Youth Upside Momentum Watson represents: Experience Familiarity But also inconsistency in recent seasons If the goal is long-term success, leaning too quickly on the veteran could limit what Sanders brings to the table.