The Cleveland Browns have spent the offseason carefully managing the optics of a crowded quarterback competition, but a former quarterback from the organization isn’t buying the narrative.
Kellen Mond — who spent time with Cleveland in 2022 — made his position clear in a social media post. Deshaun Watson is QB1. Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are competing for the backup role and a roster spot.
“Anyone who’s been in the NFL knows ‘QB1 competition’ isn’t really a thing (very rare),” Mond said. “It’s about choosing the guy who you believe gives you the best chance to win and maximizing his reps. Especially when the (money) plays a factor.”
Watson is heading into the final year of his $230 million, fully guaranteed five-year deal. The Browns can’t part ways with Watson before his contract is up without massive financial consequences.
Mond Points to Watson’s Work With Quincy Avery
The question around Watson is whether his play can resemble what he’s done in the past, considering his string of injuries. Watson sat out all of last season recovering from two Achilles surgeries. He also had shoulder surgery in 2023. Mond believes that if Watson is healthy, he’s the best option.
“It’s DW’s job to lose,” Mond said. “Compare his footwork, fundamentals and balance to when he last played and it’s a complete 180. Still gotta prove it in games, but him and Quincy Avery put in work.”
Watson’s rough ride in Cleveland hasn’t been due to a lack of opportunity. The reality is that he’s disappointed, even when healthy. Watson has a 9-10 record as the starter in Cleveland since arriving in 2022, passing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Shedeur Sanders Competing With Dillon Gabriel
While much of the discourse has painted Cleveland’s quarterback room as a two-man showdown between Watson and Sanders, Mond pushed back on that framing. He believes Sanders’ most immediate competition may actually be Gabriel.
“Like it or not, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are competing for QB2,” Mond said. “One will not be a CLE Brown, and strong play boosts trade value for both because they have both started games. This isn’t some cake walk for SS either — DG beat SS out last preseason. DG is also the higher draft pick — that matters.”
Both Gabriel and Sanders started games last season. Gabriel got the nod first, going 1-5 before a concussion opened the door for Sanders who went 3-4 as a starter. Sanders notched seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in seven starts. But he also showed some interesting upside with his ability to make plays off-schedule and rally the offense.
Watson has been getting the majority of first-team reps during offseason workouts, per Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. Mond believes that is the only indicator that needs to be followed.
“If you’re unsure who QB1 is, watch who’s getting the bulk of first team reps,” Mond said. “They may not name it soon, but they still have to prepare a starter. Right now, that’s DW.”
The Browns’ next major milestone will be OTAs in late May.
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