Deshaun Watson Browns report is bad news for Shedeur Sanders originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Cleveland Browns are coming out of the 2026 NFL Draft with a quarterback competition that has four main players. Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green, however, are not likely to win this competition.
The real debate for the starting QB job in 2026 will be between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. As things currently stand, it’s too early to call who the starter will be.
But, according to Tony Rizzo on ESPN Cleveland radio, the Browns might wind up going with Watson over Sanders thanks to recent practice reports indicating Watson has looked “phenomenal” during practices.
Browns QB competition leaning Watson over Sanders after ‘phenomenal’ practice
“I heard Deshaun took the majority of the reps on Wednesday when you guys were not allowed to watch practice, and he looked phenomenal,” Rizzo said.
“I heard Deshaun took the majority of the reps on Wednesday when you guys were not allowed to watch practice and he looked phenomenal,” – Rizz and @TonyGrossi break down the options with the Browns QB room. pic.twitter.com/cySTOaAxLt
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) April 27, 2026
Cleveland’s quarterback competition is one of the more interesting ones across the NFL. It’s a four-headed race, with two clear frontrunners in Watson and Sanders.
Both have been to the Pro Bowl, but Sanders is heading into year two on a cheap rookie deal while Watson is counting for far too much money on the Browns’ books.
Watson is going nowhere, and based on this report from Rizzo, it looks like there’s a decent chance that he might win the starting QB job.
More: Todd Monken reveals QB plan for Browns thats good news for Shedeur Sanders
Tony Grossi also noted how Watson looked good at a different practice while taking the majority of the reps, seemingly indicating that Watson is the current frontrunner for the QB job in 2026.
Barring a complete surprise, none of these QB options will be the Browns’ long-term solution at the position, with the 2027 NFL Draft likely holding the team’s franchise QB.
But, at least for 2026, it’s looking like the leader in the clubhouse for the starting QB job, with a few months to go before the full team is together, looks to be Watson.
Things can very easily change in the coming days, weeks, and months. But, if things stay the same and continue trending in this direction, Todd Monken might hand the keys to the offense over to Watson to begin the season.