The Browns QB1 competition is making headlines during the offseason. Quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are in the race to claim the spot. 

Sanders has taken one of the prime spots in the news, first for QB1 updates and second, for the recent NFLPA report of him earning nearly $18 million in royalties and player marketing income, beating Tom Brady’s record. 

“Sanders' $17.7 million payday crushed the previous record of $9.5 million earned by Tom Brady in the 2021-2022 season,” said Dante Walker of Dawg Pound Daily. “That, as Sanders likes to say, is legendary.”

Tom Brady previously held the NFLPA single-season record for group licensing and marketing income, earning $9.5 million in the 2021-22 fiscal year.

Per Dante Walker, over the last few months, the Browns' ownership and the media have been trying to “soft launch” Watson as a “true first-string” QB again. The Browns’ owner, Jimmy Haslam, will be fulfilling Watson’s contract by paying him $46 million. 

“Todd Monken may be thinking if you have to pay him (Watson), you might as well play him,” Walker further added,

The DPD writer reported that the Browns fans have given head coach Todd Monken a clear message via the NFLPA report regarding their preferred QB. The fans purchased Sanders’ merchandise because they saw potential in the late-round draft pick. 

Walker said that the Browns must answer about Sanders’ capabilities at the NFL level by providing him with the best supporting cast that they can offer. He added that the 24-year-old must be the starter QB when the team is at its healthiest, unlike during his rookie season in 2025.

Walker concluded by saying that Sanders must be made the QB1 in week 1. If he doesn’t perform well, the Browns can always pivot to Deshaun Watson, who has “little to prove or gain” in this stage of his career. 

For the Browns’ head coach, Todd Monken, this popularity surrounding Sanders is difficult to ignore, especially in light of reports endorsing Watson for QB1.

Todd Monken and Shedeur Sanders Get Brutal Coach-QB Ranking 

Matt Verderame of SI compiled a list of coach-QB duo rankings for 2026. The Cleveland Browns’ Monken and Sanders ranked 32nd, i.e., last on that list.  The Browns dropped from their last year ranking of 28 to 32 now. And as per Verderame, the reason is simple.

“Over the past three years, Monken oversaw the Ravens’ offense led by a pair of Future Hall of Famers, QB Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry,” wrote Verderame. “Unfortunately for Monken, that duo isn’t in Cleveland.”

Verderame added that Monken has taken over a Browns team that has witnessed one playoff win since rejoining the league in 1999. He further talked about the QBs Monken has at his disposal and their pro career.

“As a rookie, Sanders completed 56.6% of his passes with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while Watson has played only 19 games over the past five seasons.”

It remains to be seen if the 2027 season can be better for the team in terms of Coach-QB Ranking.

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi