While most NFL teams have already settled on their starting quarterbacks, the Browns remain undecided. The Shedeur Sanders–Deshaun Watson debate refuses to die, and with training camp around the corner, ESPN analysts took a shot at the QB situation.

“We don't usually see these true quarterback competitions. When we do see them, they're usually in Cleveland. So I think the Browns know they've been through this before, and they know what they need to do,” said NFL insider Dan Graziano on ESPN's Fired Up Friday on July 17.

Graziano added that he believes Deshaun Watson will start for the Browns, but noted that he has seen real progress from Sanders, as another analyst even stated his preference to see the young QB over Watson.

While Graziano preferred Watson, former NFL player Harry Douglas refuted him on the same Fired Up Friday episode, saying he would rather see Shedeur Sanders take the field, especially after the Browns added new receivers.

"I want to see Shedeur Sanders, and I love the weapons that he has around him. When you look at the running back room, the tight end, Harold Fannin Jr., the year he had as a rookie season. But also, they drafted two phenomenal receivers in the first and second rounds. Let those young players, in my opinion, continue to build,” said Douglas.

The analyst believes that Sanders would thrive under Todd Monken's leadership, but the battle for the QB1 position is expected to extend into training camp. As the competition enters its crucial phase, the latest addition, Jared Verse, has a message for both quarterbacks.

Jared Verse sends a message to Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson

As the Cleveland QB battle heats up, Jared Verse isn't picking sides. Instead, he's eager to see how Sanders and Watson compete for the position.

During a recent appearance on Good Morning Football on Wednesday, the defensive end expressed that both of them are great in their own way.

"These are two great quarterbacks," Verse said. "I'm honestly excited to see how it goes further in the preseason, but so far I've just seen two elite quarterbacks battling it out."

The QB battle will determine the direction of the Browns' season. While Deshaun Watson has experience on his side, his inconsistency has been the biggest drawback of his career. In the last four years, he's only appeared in 19 games with just as many touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders closed his rookie campaign on a high, earning Pro Bowl alternate honors after recording 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across eight appearances, including seven starts.

Who do you think should start the season for the Browns?

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote