The Cleveland Browns are in the middle of a high-stakes quarterback competition between veteran Deshaun Watson and rising star Shedeur Sanders. But according to the team's newest defensive star, there's no wrong answer here.
Jared Verse, the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher who came to Cleveland in the blockbuster Myles Garrett trade, made it crystal clear where he stands. Speaking on Wednesday's edition of Good Morning Football, Verse didn't just endorse one quarterback — he gave both a ringing endorsement.
“These are two great quarterbacks,” Verse said. “I’m honestly excited to see how it goes further in the preseason, but so far I’ve just seen two elite quarterbacks battling it out.”
That's right — Verse used the word elite to describe both Watson and Sanders, effectively shutting down any notion that the Browns are stuck with a weak QB room. With training camp still heating up, the competition is expected to run deep into the preseason, but Verse's confidence in both signal-callers suggests the Browns are in good hands regardless of who wins the job.
Watson brings a wealth of NFL experience and a deep understanding of offensive coordinator Todd Monken's system. At this stage, his knowledge of defenses and pre-snap reads gives him a clear edge. But Sanders, entering his sophomore season, has the kind of raw athleticism and arm talent that could tilt the scales in his favor as the season progresses.
Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Chris Simms recently weighed in on Sanders, admitting he was surprised by what he saw from the young QB last year. “I think the positives for me for Shedeur Sanders is I do think he has an NFL starting quarterback arm. It’s not a ‘wow’ arm, but it’s plenty good to make all the big throws,” Simms told Cleveland.com. “Shedeur, he’s definitely surprised me. He’s got very good short-area quickness to make people miss. He can run and get 10-12 yards. He will hang in the pocket and throw the ball under pressure.”
That kind of dual-threat capability is exactly what the Browns need as they navigate a rebuild that began with the Garrett trade. The franchise is clearly embracing a new era, and the QB decision will shape the team's trajectory for years to come.
Meanwhile, the Browns' defense — now featuring Verse alongside other key pieces — is already generating buzz. Verse's leadership and production off the edge will be crucial, especially as the team looks to make noise in a competitive AFC North. The record-breaking sale of the Seahawks might have dominated headlines this offseason, but in Cleveland, all eyes are on the QB battle.
For now, Verse is keeping the focus on what matters: winning. And with two elite quarterbacks in the building, the Browns might just have the firepower to surprise a lot of people when the regular season kicks off.
