The competition for the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback position rages on between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. But fans are torn over the long-drawn battle, unable to pick a side.

An April 29 report from insider Mary Kay Cabot said that Watson “emerged from the Browns' voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition—and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1.”

If the report is representative of how the Browns’ decision-makers are thinking, then Shedeur Sanders might be fighting a losing battle. 

The 24-year-old had a limited time on the field last season. Sanders played in the last eight games of the 2025 season and started in seven. 

While replacing a concussed QB, Dillon Gabriel, Sanders gained 1,400 passing yards, threw seven touchdowns, and had 10 interceptions. But his three-TD performance in Week 14 left many impressed by hinting at his untapped potential. 

With him as the starter, the Browns won their last two games against rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Bears. By the time Sanders stepped onto the gridiron, the Browns had no veteran QB to secure winning snaps or mentor him.

Watson, 30, is returning after a long absence. He injured his Achilles tendon in October 2024 and re-ruptured it in 2025, putting him out for the entire season. This setback followed up as the Browns were reeling with Watson’s poor performance, whom they had cut a huge cheque for.

The franchise traded Watson from the Houston Texans in 2022 with a guaranteed five-year contract worth $230 million. The QB went from throwing 33 TDs for 4,823 yards to seven TDs for 1,102. 

With Watson’s impending comeback, both QBs are locked in a competition for the starting position. And while the Browns’ front office might be considering declaring Watson, Sanders has the support of the Dawg Pound. 

Fans Torn Between The QBs Because Of Watson’s Contract

The Browns have yet to announce their QB1. On May 6, an X post by ESPN Cleveland asked fans who they would like to see start this season. While they championed Sanders, fans were acutely aware that the possibility of Watson sitting as a backup is thin.

“Shedeur should be, but Watson will be week 1 starter due to the contract he was paid big $,” one comment read. 

This was just one of many others that held the same sentiment.

“Probably Deshawn. Paid too much to be a backup.”

“Shedeur should start, but you know they are not going to let Watson sit on the bench making $46 million this year,” one fan wrote, pointing out that Watson is scheduled to earn a fully guaranteed $46 million base salary this season. 

Another fan commented that Sanders is the answer for the question, dismissing this ordeal altogether. 

“Easy whoever looks the best in camp !!! Why is this a debate?? I’m pulling for #2.”

And one frustrated fan called out the Browns for their decisions, asking to trust Sanders with the QB1 position. 

“It should be Shedeur. Watcon is not the future…You need to see if Shedeur is your franchise guy and to do that he has to be giving the chance from the beginning. But at the end of the day Browns never do the right thing.”

The Browns QB1 battle does not appear to end anytime soon. And it has left fans uncertain and upset in the meantime. What are your thoughts?

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi