Since Deshaun Watson joined the Cleveland Browns, he has yet to impress the staff and fans. And in the meantime, Year 2 quarterback Shedeur Sanders has emerged as a favorite for the starting role this season. The race between the two just got tighter.

The Athletic's Zac Jackson confirmed that Watson has been medically cleared for practice. This will mark his comeback since he ruptured his Achilles tendon in Week 7 of the 2024 season. The QB, unfortunately, injured it again in 2025 and missed the whole season. 

In his absence, the charge had to be taken up by rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The former suffered a concussion and was out for the season, giving way for Sanders to start.

He started in seven of the eight games he played, recording 1,400 passing yards and seven touchdowns. Sanders did have his falls, winning only three of these games. He has since been seen as the immediate fix, as head coach Todd Monken has also praised his skills.

But Watson's return could automatically sideline Sanders, because he is the veteran. Even though he has been underwhelming in the two seasons he has played for the Browns, Watson has an edge because he is also the same QB who came from the Houston Texans with 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns, all recorded in one season.

Deshaun Watson's return seems to be guaranteed, no matter how long it lasts

Can Deshaun Watson see any time on the field this season?

A year ago, team owner Jimmy Haslam said that the QB had been a "swing and a miss" for the team. But at the meeting, he told the press that there was a possibility of Watson becoming a "home run."

He also said that the quarterback has a "great chance" with Monken. Insider Mary Kay Cabot said that Watson would be the starter, should the league begin tomorrow. It is still too early to hope for Watson to get back to his pre-injury level, but Cleveland could always start slow by getting him out.

"If he’s healthy and he’s able to, then you gotta play him," former Browns QB Brady Quinn told 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland. "Then you can move to the younger guy depending how things go. But that’s how I would see the beginning of the season.

"You go with the guy that’s got the most experience, the most starts doing it and see where he is at."

Deshaun Watson was signed for $230 million primarily because of his being an experienced QB. But this might be the year that Cleveland finally gets some return on that huge investment.

Do you think Deshaun Watson will be the Browns' QB1? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Afreen Kabir