Shedeur Sanders is carrying a different energy into 2026. Fresh off the Browns' trip to Miami, the young quarterback is buzzing with confidence. Now comes the hard part, with a pivotal season ahead that could shape both his future and Cleveland's, according to some.

As per the Athletics Zac Jackson, there's way more at stake for Sanders. A situation where he can be the future of the quarterback division in Cleveland is up for grabs.

"All that's at stake is the franchise's immediate future," Jackson wrote in his report. "That's a little bit hyperbole, but the Browns are clearly embracing a future-based approach and probably position themselves to select a quarterback early in the 2027 draft. Sanders can change that part of the plan by establishing himself as a starting-quality player and leader this year."

Jackson's indication, as per the Athletic, is clear. If Sanders can stay healthy and perform, he will become the franchise quarterback. Under the current quarterback depth in the Browns, he does have an edge over his quarterback colleagues.

Deshaun Watson is in his final year with the Browns, which expires after the 2026 season. The 30-year-old hasn't extended his contract yet.

Then there's last year's third-round pick quarterback Dillon Gabriel and 2026 sixth-round draft pick Taylen Green, who is known for his accuracy and mobility but struggled with consistency.

Green isn't currently in the picture and is looked at as QB3 and QB4. So, Sanders has an open field to work on. All said and done, he does have to face stiff competition from Watson, who is keen on a QB1 role.

Sanders will surely try to do better than last year's 1,400 yards and 7 TDs if he wants to make a case for the QB1 role.

Still, that might not be enough.NFL expert Rich Eisen's comment on his podcast does make it seem Watson is still very much in contention.

NFL insider thinks Deshaun Watson is still not out of the QB1 race

Shedeur Sanders has taken the lead in the QB1 battle for now. Yet Deshaun Watson is still very much in the game. Rich Eisen's breakdown of the situation tells you exactly why.

Speaking on his podcast The Rich Eisen Show, Eisen shared his reasoning.

 "Is it Shedeur or Deshaun Watson?" said Eisen, "I believe at the end of the day, the Browns have put too much capital, literal, you know, sweat, equity, whatever you want to put it, in Deshaun Watson. And it’s going to be, ‘Let’s see what Deshaun has one last time.’ They’re not going to have him come back from his Achilles and everything that the organization put into this and didn’t get out of it."

At the moment, Watson does come with a heavy price tag. He is presently in the final year of his $230 million contract with the Browns. This year itself, he is projected to make $46 million as per Over the Cap.

So it does seem unlikely that the Browns would choose not to use him at all. Unless, of course, his new contract is financially feasible for the Browns.

Ultimately, everything comes down to head coach Todd Monken's decision. So things are going to get exciting in Cleveland. How many games do you think Deshaun Watson will get to play this season?

Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote