You Won't Believe How Deshaun Watson Could Derail the Browns' QB Plans in 2026!

As the Cleveland Browns gear up for the upcoming NFL season, first-year head coach Todd Monken is already evaluating the team's quarterback position with a keen eye. Among the players in contention is second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who has reportedly impressed some within the organization. However, Monken has made it clear that Sanders will not be automatically handed the starting job. There are questions surrounding whether he can even outperform the current in-house options.

These uncertainties don’t stem from skepticism about Sanders’ talent. In fact, Browns general manager Andrew Berry noted at the NFL Combine that Sanders “grew a lot from start one to start seven” during his rookie season. Instead, the concern comes from a prevailing belief that former Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson might make a serious push for the starting role in 2026, lending an air of complexity to the team's quarterback dynamics.

The Browns opened a 21-day practice window for Watson in December 2024, following his recovery from an Achilles tear that sidelined him for much of the previous season. While returning to practice is a step towards recovery, it does not equate to being game-ready. Watson's performance during these practice sessions has garnered attention from staff members, indicating that he may still have the prowess to reclaim his starting position.

Financial considerations also play a significant role in the Browns' quarterback situation. Watson is due $46 million guaranteed this season, regardless of whether he steps onto the field. This hefty financial commitment incentivizes the Browns to keep him on the roster, especially with the upcoming 2027 quarterback draft class expected to be much stronger than the current pool of quarterbacks available in 2026. As a result, the Browns may opt to avoid investing in costly quarterbacks this offseason.

Monken characterized the quarterback situation as an “open competition,” acknowledging Sanders’ “elite playmaking ability” but also emphasizing that the 2024 fifth-round pick still has much to learn following his rookie year. “Why wouldn't it 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,” Monken stated during the combine.

While this open competition theoretically gives Sanders a shot, Watson's athletic ability and experience may give him the upper hand. Watson has faced significant challenges over the past few seasons, including injuries and a suspension due to allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct. He has not played a full season since 2020, when he led the league with 4,823 passing yards. In the past three seasons, Watson has played just six games in 2022 and 2023 each, and seven in 2025. The longer he is away from the game, the more questions arise about his readiness to perform at the highest level, but the Browns are eager to reach a decision before the regular season begins, according to Monken.

“You would hope that by the time you get to training camp, that the reps that you’re giving to a quarterback is for your starter,” Monken said. “Whether we get to that place, I don’t know. That’ll be determined in the offseason as part of it. That’s just another part of the piece.”

As the Browns navigate their quarterback situation, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how the competition unfolds. With Sanders showing potential and Watson's past performance looming large, the team's decision-making process will undoubtedly impact their prospects for the upcoming season and beyond.