The Cleveland Browns have an interesting quarterback competition ahead.
Cleveland has Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel all under contract, and the team could even draft another quarterback. However, it does appear to be a two-horse race between Watson and Sanders for the starting job.
Although many have thought Cleveland will roll with Sanders, NFL insider Ian Rapoport believes it will be Watson who starts Week 1.
“If I had to guess, these are guesses, not reports. My guess is Deshaun Watson,” Rapoport said on The Rich Eisen Show. “The money is paid already; you had to pay him years ago, and that is paid. Here’s why, when he is healthy, he’s been for sure good enough to be a starter. There are games when he broke his shoulder, he led his team back on a comeback, and this guy is starting to play well. If healthy, I think he gives them the best chance to win.”
Watson missed all of last season as he was rehabbing from his torn Achilles. But when healthy, he is the most talented quarterback on the roster. That is why Rapoport believes Watson will start Week 1. He gives Cleveland the best chance to win football games and compete, which is what the team wants.
Watson is a three-time Pro Bowler.
Browns Will Have Open QB Competiton
Cleveland hired Todd Monken as its new head coach this offseason, and he said the team will have an open quarterback competition.
Monken said no one will be handed anything, as he wants to see them all play in practice leading up to training camp to decide his starter.
“Sure, I think it’s an open competition,” Monken said. “I mean, I don’t why it wouldn’t be an open competition. I don’t mean that saying it harshly. But I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years one way or the other to say, boy, we have our starter at quarterback yet. Whether internally or externally.”
The hope for Monken is to have his starter named before training camp so they can get the most amount of reps. But, regardless of who starts at quarterback, Monken is excited about all three quarterbacks on the roster.
“I’m excited about Shedeur, excited about Deshaun and Dillon,” Monken said. “I’m excited about the prospects, not only in free agency but also in the draft and we’ll see where it all falls. Ultimately you’ve got to do whatever you need to do, especially at that position, to put yourself in position to score points.”
Watson Returns to Building
Cleveland kicked off voluntary workouts, and Watson was in the building and participating in the drills, which is a good sign for his status with the Browns.
“Deshaun is there right now. The word out there is that he would be there for the start of the offseason workout program,” ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi said on 92.3 The Fan. “I saw him post that he’s in the building, on the indoor practice field. I’d expect to see Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and I would think we would see Dillon Gabriel, although Todd Monken said he hasn’t seen him through the offseason. I don’t think that’s a big deal.”
Watson hasn’t played in an NFL game since October 20, 2024, when he suffered an Achilles injury. He then suffered a setback last year, which caused him to miss the entire 2025 season.
However, it finally appears Watson is healthy and looking to win the Browns’ starting quarterback job.
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