Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is entering his second season and facing an intense competition with veteran Deshaun Watson for the team's QB1 job in 2026.

During a recent interview, Browns quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian didn't hold back when discussing Shedeur Sanders' development this offseason, via Sports 4 CLE host Dave Bacon.

“I’m blown away,” said Bajakian. “You know, I think Shedeur has a really good vision of the field. He’ll say things in practice sometimes, and I’ll be like, ‘What did you get there?’... His vision with his work ethic has been good to see.”

Bajakian explained in the same interview posted on YouTube by @ClevelandBrownsonclevelandcom that some of Sanders' decisions don't immediately stand out during practice but make perfect sense after reviewing the film.

Bacon noted that the next real evaluation will come once the Browns put their pads on and play against other teams. 

Bajakian had shared earlier during the Browns’ mandatory minicamp that with the Browns undecided on Watson or Sanders, the competition will carry into training camp in July.

Per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, early reports saw Watson becoming the QB1 due to his performance in the early OTAs. However, Sanders showed a “strong late kick” in the second half of the offseason practices. 

Head coach Todd Monken said that the competition is neck-to-neck and could progress to training camp in July and thereafter to the first two preseason games in August, as per Browns Insider May Kay Cabot.

"I'm not there yet… I would have loved to do it. I was being honest. I think you’d love to have the starter named. I just can’t do it," said Monken in reference to choosing QB1 between Sanders and Watson.

Bajakian concluded by saying that the QB1 competition heading into July will show whether Sanders or Watson is better suited to handle pressure.

Mike Bajakian says training camp will decide Browns' QB1 battle

Bajakian believes the training camp will provide the clearest evaluation between both QBs, according to The Chronicle.

“I think that the beauty of what training camp will give you that OTAs and minicamp haven’t given you is more live bullets, frankly,” said Bajakian.

Bajakian pointed to live reps under pressure as the real test.

“It’s a little bit easier to make a faster evaluation when you have a defensive line that’s coming at you full speed, when you really have to react to the full-speed aspect of the game,” Bajakian added.

Later, Mary Kay Cabot revealed on the Orange and Brown Podcast that Monken is giving Sanders a chance to overpower Watson during the training camp and take the QB1 job. 

With training camp approaching, Sanders and Watson will continue battling for the Browns' QB1 role as the coaching staff looks for greater clarity.

Who do you think will be the Browns' QB1 in the 2026 season?

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Rudra Dubey