The Browns have an extremely big unknown heading into the 2026 season. Neither the franchise nor fans can single out their starting quarterback; a fight that has now come down to the veteran Deshaun Watson and Year 2 QB Shedeur Sanders. Experts Pat McAfee and ESPN's Adam Schefter presented quite the take.

“I think Deshaun Watson being the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns is absolutely on the table," Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. "It feels like it’s moving towards that right now.”

This unexpected development began when Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, who had called Watson a “swing and a miss" trade last year, showed renewed faith in the quarterback. Earlier this week, Haslam said that the franchise is “cautiously optimistic” about him and that he has a “great chance” to be QB1.

This sudden change of heart is eye-catching, given how disappointing the QB has been of late. The Browns had hoped to tap into his Houston Texans potential, having led the league in passing yards in 2020 (4,823 yards). But two ACL tears have limited Watson to playing only 19 games since 2022. He missed the entirety of the last season.

Haslam seems extremely optimistic about Watson's return. The Browns owner said that Watson is "looking good" and has shed some pounds. But this spring is the first time in a long time that Cleveland will get to see the veteran at work. But there is a good chance that the franchise will get its money's worth if Watson impresses the staff in the offseason.

Meanwhile, the young QB is gaining support to be the Browns' QB1 this season, since he has been the most active candidate in the room.

Sanders had his bad times last year, since he was a rookie, but he provided some stability at quarterback, appearing in eight games. At the moment, he has the best chance at leading Cleveland's offense because there is no solid competition from anyone apart from Watson. Pat McAfee made his case for Sanders.

Pat McAfee bats for Shedeur Sanders instead of Deshaun Watson

Sanders still has a lot to prove in his second year as the starting quarterback. And that's why he'll give his all in this fight, because he has to fight a 30-year-old Watson for the job. Especially because of how fragile his career longevity still is at Cleveland.

I think Shedeur has a very huge head start," McAfee said. "Obviously, he had a lot more attention because of who his dad [Deion Sanders] was... Coming alongside that is also a lot of intel that you can potentially learn about being a professional athlete, especially as a fifth-round draft pick and having to earn your [place].

There is also a chance of Cleveland picking up a quarterback in the 2026 draft, which will make things difficult for him in the future. Shedeur Sanders is already creating an impact by being involved in charity events in Cleveland before spring practices began, which shows his dedication to the team.

It is now on both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders to prove how relevant they are to the team. Watson needs 2026 to be his redemption, while Sanders needs this season to prove that he deserves to be in the NFL. Who will the Browns Pick?

Let us know your thoughts.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Afreen Kabir