The Cleveland Browns have yet to declare their starting quarterback for the season. Now, analyst Tony Grossi’s latest take on the QB1 competition does not fare well for last year's rookie and Pro Bowl selection, Shedeur Sanders.

On their official page, The Dawgs, a podcast dedicated to the Browns, shared Grossi's brief that veteran QB Deshaun Watson will clinch the starting position. 

“It’s my opinion that Watson will prevail,” Grossi said per their May 4 X post. “I believe, if he’s healthy, he’ll be a better version of himself than we’ve seen yet.”

If Grossi’s scenario plays out, Watson would have a big comeback in the NFL following his long absence. The 30-year-old has been cleared of his twice-ruptured Achilles injury, which set his career back. 

He last played in October 2024 and was out for the 2025 season.

Watson has been showing glimpses of how well he recovered throughout the off-season, but the most notable instance was the Berea minicamp. Watson, alongside Shedeur Sanders, led with the most first-team snaps. 

But despite the equal snaps, inside sources claim that Watson has already established himself over Sanders. 

“Deshaun Watson emerged from the Browns’ voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition,” the April 29 report by insider Mary Kay Cabot revealed. “And has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1, sources tell cleveland.com.”

This is not good news for Sanders, who was already sidelined in favor of Dillon Gabriel early in their rookie season. The 24-year-old played in the remaining eight games and started in seven of the 2025 season. 

Sanders scored seven touchdowns for 1,400 yards against 10 interceptions and is at risk of being outshone by Watson this year. 

30-year-old Watson’s journey with the Browns has been a downward slope. He was traded from the Houston Texans about half a decade ago, but his performance did not match the guaranteed $230 million contract. 

Watson was at his best with the Houston Texans in the 2020 season when he recorded a league-high 4,823 passing yards and scored 33 passing touchdowns.

After that, in his first season with the Browns in 2022, the QB recorded just seven TDs and 1,102 yards in six outings.

As his contract expires this season, it very well could be Watson’s last chance to do well and earn an extension with Cleveland.

But these developments raise several questions looming over Sanders’ career. And one reporter has linked him with a rival franchise.

If A Trade Is On The Table, Where Can Shedeur Sanders Go?

In an article published on May 5, Jon Conhan weighed in on whether Sanders could land with the Green Bay Packers. The team, according to him, wouldn’t start with him but is looking for a backup QB.

“From a team standpoint, the Packers making a move for Sanders could make sense if they're looking for a backup quarterback.” 

Conhan’s opinion comes after Wynston Wilcox originally listed five franchises, including the Packers.

“Sanders had a rough rookie season last year…but if Sanders ultimately becomes the backup and Cleveland decides to trade him, the Packers make a lot of sense,” Wilcox wrote for FanSided. 

Varying kinds of predictions are bound to fly around until the Browns’ front office announces the starting QB. Until then, who do you think will prevail? Sanders or Watson? Tell us in the comments. 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote