The Cleveland Browns have kept their quarterback competition close to the vest, but head coach Todd Monken is starting to show his hand. After minicamp, it’s clear that Deshaun Watson is the front-runner to be under center when Week 1 rolls around.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, both Watson and Shedeur Sanders received first-team reps during minicamp. But Watson came out as the clear favorite, thanks to his experience and his fully-guaranteed $230 million contract. The former three-time Pro Bowler hasn’t played since 2025 after suffering back-to-back Achilles tears, and he hasn’t looked like his old self since arriving in Cleveland. Yet, in Year 1 of Monken’s system, the team seems willing to bet on his pedigree.
Shedeur Sanders Has ‘Plenty of Ground to Make Up’
Cabot reported that Watson has the “inside track” to be named the starter. Monken hopes to declare—or at least identify—his starter by the end of minicamp on June 9-11. That gives Sanders about six weeks to close the gap.
“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 wrote.
Sanders, the second-year QB out of Colorado, has all the tools but lacks the NFL experience Watson brings. The Browns have been clear they’re not willing to tie themselves to him just yet, but he has a window to prove he’s the man for the job.
Browns Nearly Drafted a QB in the First Round
The team’s uncertainty at quarterback was underscored by their draft strategy. According to Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein, Browns GM Andrew Berry confirmed that the team would have selected Alabama’s Ty Simpson at pick No. 24 if he had fallen that far. The Rams surprised many by taking Simpson at 13, but Cleveland was prepared to grab him with their second first-round pick.
“[We] really focused, and particularly when Ty went off the board, we really focused on just the infrastructure around it, and we were really pleased with the players that we selected,” Berry told Epstein.
This draft-day what-if shows the Browns are still searching for a long-term answer under center. For now, Watson is the favorite, but Sanders has a chance to change the narrative. As the team looks to build for the future, fans can check out how the Browns' draft picks hint at an all-in plan for Shedeur Sanders in 2026.
Meanwhile, the pressure is on Sanders to make a lasting impression. With six weeks until Monken makes his decision, the young QB will need to bring his A-game every day. For more on how Sanders is handling the spotlight, see Shedeur Sanders calls on Cleveland media: 'Bring a new energy!'.
The Browns’ quarterback battle is far from over, and the next few weeks will be critical in determining who leads the offense in 2026. As the team navigates this competition, the broader NFL landscape is also heating up—check out Broncos fans on edge: Will Bo Nix be ready for 2026 after second ankle surgery? for another QB story to watch.
