Deshaun Watson is pulling ahead in the race for the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback job. While Shedeur Sanders is pushing for reps, ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler reports that Watson’s veteran experience gives him a clear edge as June decisions loom.

Fowler shared his take on May 29 that it appears the veteran quarterback is taking the lead over the 2025 rookie. 

“The Browns have not made any sort of firm determination yet, but they like Watson’s experience,” said analyst Fowler on the NFL on ESPN.

Watson entered the NFL in 2017 with the Houston Texans. The Browns acquired him in 2022 for a $230 million guaranteed contract for five years.

The veteran recently made a comeback to the Browns training camp after being away since 2024 due to his Achilles injury.  

Per ESPN Cleveland, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders were the only QBs that took reps in 11v11 drills. Watson went 11-for-17 with six touchdowns and one interception.

On the other hand, Sanders went 8-for-14 with one touchdown and one interception.

Matt Sullivan of the Sporting News reported that Sanders had a worse completion percentage and five fewer TDs than Watson during the OTAs on Wednesday.

Fowler added that Watson is more likely to become the QB1 over Sanders, as per Bleacher Report.

Browns insider, Mary Kay Cabot, expanded on the Orange and Brown talk podcast on why it seems Sanders is the Browns' second choice heading into June. 

“It seems like the quarterback chart has unofficially already been set,” said Cabot. “You can see it in certain drills, like the individual drills. Deshaun goes first, Shedeur goes second, Gabriel goes third, and Taylen goes fourth. That seems to be the unofficial depth chart right now.”

Having spent the offseason in Cleveland training and improving his game, NFL analysts like Cabot, Sullivan, and Fowler suggest that the 2026 season may not be Sanders’ year as the Browns' QB1.

On the other hand, HC Monken and OC Travis Switzer insist that the QB1 competition is still going strong. 

QB1 Competition Still Ongoing, Per Browns’ Offensive Coordinator and Head Coach

The Browns' head coach and offensive coordinator insist that the contender for the QB1 spot is still undecided.

“I don’t know that we have somebody who’s ahead,” said OC Travis Switzer to reporters on Wednesday when asked which QB was winning. He went on to say that the Browns are rotating both QBs with groups and gaining clarity. 

When asked about clarity on the QB1 spot, Monken shared that "nothing has changed" and that the Browns are going to rotate their players to see who outperforms in the end.

The Browns have another OTA session from June 2 to June 5. Soon after, they have a mandatory minicamp from June 9 to June 11. Monken and Switzer hope to make their call between Sanders and Watson before training begins in July.

Between Sanders and Watson, who do you think will end up becoming the QB1?

According to the Cleveland Browns Community

Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Rudra Dubey