Just when Shedeur Sanders appeared to be surging, an NFL insider dropped a rather worrisome prediction. With the QB1 battle intensifying, Todd Monken could reportedly turn to Deshaun Watson before the rookie.

"Week 1 starter prediction: Watson," Dan Graziano wrote. "The process-driven Browns aren't going to decide this based on public perception -- that is, what their fans would think. And Monken, who has waited a long time to be a head coach, is likely to push for the guy who gives Cleveland the best chance to win.”

ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano believes the Cleveland Browns will start both Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson in 2026, but the veteran will get the first chance to prove his worth.

"But I'm very much of the belief that Sanders will play a representative number of games this season, even if he doesn't get to play the first one. The Browns need to know what they have before next year's draft,” wrote ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano on July 29.

Last season, Joe Flacco started four games, Dillon Gabriel started six, and Shedeur Sanders started the remainder of the season after Gabriel was injured.

None of the three was consistent enough to deliver the results the Browns wanted, as the team finished 5-12.

Graziano believes something similar is about to happen this season as well, but this time Watson is in the mix and might end up playing a bigger chunk of the season.

Last season, Sanders managed just 1,400 passing yards and 7 touchdowns, and was sacked 23 times. Despite the disappointing campaign, he has shown promise this offseason.

Meanwhile, Watson has struggled to justify his role with the Browns, playing just 19 of 68 games while recording 3,365 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

While Graziano has his set of predictions, Andrew Berry has come forward with an uncanny answer.

Andrew Berry dodges the Shedeur Sanders- Deshaun Watson QB question

On Thursday, General Manager Andrew Berry spoke to the media and confidently stated that the Browns will have their starting quarterback in place before their Week 1 opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While he reassured everyone that the quarterback situation would be resolved, he offered little to no clarity for fans.

"I wouldn't rule anything out in terms of the whole quarterback of the future discussion. Ultimately, we're going to play the player who is the most productive on the field. … I think Deshaun (Watson's) only 30. So there's no need to make any decisions about the future right now. And we'll let it play out," Berry said, via Mary Kay Cabot.

Deshaun Watson was marginally ahead of Shedeur Sanders during OTAs and minicamp.

However, the young quarterback has closed the gap enough for analysts to believe he has a legitimate chance of becoming the Browns' starting QB. Still, the Browns can't afford to sideline Watson just yet.

What are your thoughts on the starting quarterback for the Browns? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar