The Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback battle has emerged as one of the biggest storylines during this offseason. Quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders have been battling it out since their voluntary minicamp in April. An analyst dropped an update on how Watson currently holds an edge over Shedeur.

Head coach Todd Monken’s choice has been revealed by a Browns insider, Mary Kay Cabot. During an appearance on the Cleveland.com podcast on May 26 with NFL insider David Bacon, she revealed where things stand with Shedeur.

“So far, it seems to be that the Browns are finding that Deshaun is ahead of Shedeur at this point in time,” said Cabot. “Nobody’s saying it publicly, but it looks to me, with the way they are conducting the competition, that that’s how they’re viewing it.”

For now, the choice is based on taking charge on September 13th, beating the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following week.

The host further added that Monken and the Browns are considering Watson for the job because he has played in different systems and has been a Pro Bowler.

The veteran has also played for other coaches, so he’s been able to grasp the way Monken is playing it out better than Shedeur. 

Cabot’s analysis of the current QB1 situation comes as unfortunate news for Shedeur, who was drafted in 2025. He was able to play as their starting quarterback for only seven games in the second half of the season, when he put up 1400 yards and seven touchdowns, completing 120 of 212 passes.

Shedeur's chance to be the QB1 this year faced a setback when Watson recovered and returned to Cleveland. The 30-year-old quarterback has not played since rupturing his right Achilles tendon in October 2024, which sidelined him for the final ten games in that season. The quarterback returned to practice on December 3, last year.

Per Cabot, Watson is looking good from a “physical and athletic standpoint.” It is something that Monken is used to, given his previous experience of working with the Baltimore Ravens’ star quarterback, Lamar Jackson. 

Cabot, however, clarified that Shedeur is still in his second year and has a long way to go. She went on to also say that with Watson performing slightly better, it doesn’t imply that the QB1 competition is over.

Cabot concluded by saying that it’ll be interesting to see how Monken goes about this scenario. The head coach could either announce his pick during the minicamp in June or let this drag on till the training camp in July. 

Monken’s Timeline to Announce His QB1 Pick for the Browns’ 2026 Season

Monken was asked by reporters after the second OTA about his analysis of both Watson and Sanders and when he’ll announce his pick between the two. 

“Nothing’s really changed other than it’s a different day and you’re firing the same questions,” replied Monken to the reporters. “I mean, we’re going to rotate those guys and play the best player, and we’ll see.”

Per Zac Wassink of YardBarker, Monken said he cannot guarantee if he’ll announce the QB1 before the minicamp on June 11. However, he hopes to do that before the week 1 game of the Browns against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13.

Who do you think will get the chance to become the starting quarterback? Share your thoughts.

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar