Shedeur Sanders’ celebratory move of hoisting his watch-clad wrist up in the air means one thing: it is his time. The latest post from the Cleveland Browns features just one quarterback, and it is him posing. Could this mean that they might have picked their 2026 starting quarterback?

“One last look at Media Day (clapperboard emoji),” read the caption of the Browns July 12 post. 

A video showcased these players in their Browns gear, with a charged-up and electric mood. It ended with Sanders, 24, smiling at the camera and making his signature pose.

Watson, his competitor, was nowhere to be seen. If this post is an indication, the younger, healthier QB has won the long-drawn QB1 battle against Watson, whose past years were a dud.

Sanders’ fight for QB1 status is older than this offseason. The round-five pick, Sanders, lived under 2025 rookie Dillon Gabriel’s shadow for ten weeks before he was thrust into action as his replacement. 

His former head coach, Kevin Stefanski, and a sea of critics had little faith in him, but he showed his true capabilities in a season that was already doomed. Sanders played in seven games and emerged as the team’s lead passer. 

In the 5-12 season, he contributed 1,400 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, and ten interceptions. Sanders even played his first Pro Bowl game. While Stefanski ducked allegations of partiality and favoritism, his replacement, Todd Monken, has said Sanders is starter-caliber. 

“Every day I kind of lean one way or the other with quarterbacks,” Monken said in June after OTA No. 8. “But we’ve still got to get to that point. Who’s going to start for us? But I’m fired up by the quarterbacks. I just tell you, we’ve got two starting-level quarterbacks.” 

It appears the Browns have reached the point, much to Watson’s disadvantage. He, however, is focused on the game. 

Deshaun Watson’s latest post shares timely message on his priority

While the Cleveland Browns shared pictures of their fired-up players, quarterback Deshaun Watson also shared what he’s been up to. 

In a July 12 Instagram reel, Watson is seen training to the song ‘Game Time’ from the FIFA soundtrack by Future and Tyla. This is Watson’s last chance to prove that he is more than a “swing and a miss” trade, as franchise owner Jimmy Haslam has said. 

Watson is returning from a long absence caused by a torn Achilles tendon. He last played in October 2024 and has appeared in just 19 games in the past four years. 

The Browns are gearing up with many new faces, as seen in their latest post. They posted rookie wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and cornerback Denzel Ward. Is the season the Browns show full faith in Sanders and see a better record? 

Tell us your thoughts in the comments. 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar