For the 2025 season, the Cleveland Browns have found their QB1, and it will be Shedeur Sanders. But what happens in 2026 when Deshaun Watson returns?

Let's take a look at how they stack up against each other and who might start.

Shedeur Sanders has been solid for the Browns

Sanders was shaky against the Ravens (4/16, 47 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT), and a week later, things looked only slightly better. He progressed with a solid start at the Raiders (11/20, 209 yards, 1 TD). 

But since then, Shedeur Sanders has leveled up. His accuracy improved vs. the 49ers (16/25, 149 yards, 1 TD). In the Titans game, he threw for 364 yards and 3 TDs and even rushed one.

He became the first Cleveland Browns quarterback in team history to combine at least 300+ passing yards, 3+ passing touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown in the same game. The rookie has recorded a passer rating of 80.9 with 769 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

But Deshaun Watson has gone in the opposite direction

Watson has a passer rating of 80.7 with 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 19 games for the Browns in his career. He has recorded only 3 rushing TDs. But while the veteran struggled with poor form, ‌injuries never let him reach his potential. In 2023, Watson suffered a fracture and other shoulder injury issues. His season ended early. 

Then he tore his right Achilles tendon in October 2024 (Week 7 vs. Bengals), which ended his 2024 season. While rehabbing that same injury, he re‑ruptured the Achilles tendon in early 2025 and required a second surgery, putting his 2025 season in jeopardy. While he has returned to practice, there’s little hope of him playing this season. 

The Browns' owner also called Watson a “swing and miss.” With a $230 million guaranteed contract, the team would take a huge dead cap hit of about $131 million in 2026. This amount will come down if they release him after June 1, but that will be around $52 million.

There's a third route the Browns can take

Fernando Mendoza is currently considered the top quarterback talent in college football. This season, he has thrown for 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns, making him a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy. He has already set Indiana’s single-season passing touchdown record.

NFL teams are taking notice, including the Browns, but the draft picks will play a key role. The Giants, Raiders, and Titans hold the top picks. Both the Giants and Titans already have rookie quarterbacks from 2025, leaving the Raiders in need of a replacement for Geno Smith, making Mendoza an ideal target for them.

For now, it looks like Shedeur Sanders has the spot. If the Browns can see him grow in the next few weeks, they can see if he has what it takes. In that case, the Browns can keep Shedeur at QB1, use their picks to bolster their offensive line next season.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments section.

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar