{"id":968735,"date":"2026-08-09T19:36:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T19:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/968735\/"},"modified":"2026-08-09T19:36:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T19:36:19","slug":"clear-leader-may-have-emerged-in-cleveland-browns-qb-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/968735\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Clear Leader’ May Have Emerged in Cleveland Browns’ QB Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Under new leadership, the Cleveland Browns<\/a> are in the midst of a starting quarterback competition. First-year head coach Todd Monken is giving both Deshaun Watson<\/a> and Shedeur Sanders<\/a> a fresh start. Over a week into training camp, the battle seemed pretty fair on both sides; no clear leader had emerged. Until Saturday. <\/p>\n

Now, it sounds like the Browns do have a quarterback separating himself from the pack. <\/p>\n

Related: Cleveland Browns Coach Admits QB is Earning More Reps<\/a><\/p>\n

Deshaun Watson May Have \u2018Leg Up\u2019 as Cleveland Browns QB1<\/p>\n

\"NFL:Jul 30, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) talk during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Multiple reporters are now indicating that Watson may be in pole position to be the Browns\u2019 starting QB when the 2026 season kicks off. <\/p>\n

Most of the buzz started when the Browns changed their practice plans on Saturday, when suddenly Watson received all of the reps with the first-team offense. Previously, the plan had been for Sanders to operate with the starting offense. A team spokesman mentioned that Monken\u2019s change came because he wanted to see the former Pro Bowler operate with specific personnel groupings. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, The Athletic\u2018s Browns insider Zac Jackson<\/a> took Saturday\u2019s change as the \u201cfirst strong sign that Monken views Watson as the clear leader of what\u2019s been an uneven and unremarkable competition through two weeks of camp.\u201d Jackson added that \u201cSaturday was Watson\u2019s strongest overall throwing day of camp, too, marking his third impressive performance of the Browns\u2019 long week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network<\/a> agreed that Watson seems to be the frontrunner so far.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust judging from the landscape of this, I know it is a quarterback battle that is still open, but it certainly seems like Deshaun Watson has the leg up here. He is the one who is more well-versed in the Browns\u2019 offensive operation. Really, just operation in general, running an offense, getting the Browns in and out of the huddle, getting the team in and out of the right play. It\u2019s been a bit of an up-and-down camp. But in the Watson versus Sanders, feels to me at least like Watson is the more likely option. Shedeur\u2019s flashed in camp. He\u2019s made some plays that\u2019s made them say, \u2018Ok this guy\u2019s got some talent.\u2019 But just as far as dependability and play-in, play-out, feels to me like Watson. That said, does not mean that the guy who starts in Week 1, is the guy who ends up playing, my sense is that both end up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ian Rapoport on Cleveland Browns QBs<\/p>\n

From Inside Training Camp Live: A breakdown of all the QB battle, looking at the #Browns<\/a>, #Falcons<\/a>, and #Vikings<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/J74ojRAwNx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Sanders is just entering his second season, and he still has two years left on his contract after the 2026 campaign expires. Even if the 24-year-old doesn\u2019t begin as the starter, he\u2019ll have plenty of time to earn another opportunity.<\/p>\n

For now, the more experienced Watson, with his 72 NFL starts, seems to be ahead of Sanders, who has just seven starts under his belt. That shouldn\u2019t come as a great surprise. Yet, just because Watson may be in line to begin as the starter in Week 1, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean he\u2019ll remain in that spot all season long. <\/p>\n

Related: 6 Alternative NFL Fits for Baker Mayfield in 2027<\/a><\/p>\n

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\t\tDedicated NFL copywriter\/editor. My work has been found on Sportsnaut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports … More about Andrew Buller-Russ<\/a><\/p>\n

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