There has been plenty of talk about the Cleveland Browns facing a heated quarterback battle, but that does not necessarily mean there is elite quality among the contenders. There have been flashes of talent, but in reality there are more questions than answers, which is why the franchise is projected as one of the weakest teams heading into the 2026 season.
Mary Kay Cabot, a Browns insider, revealed a few days ago that the starting quarterback job is currently between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. However, it has not been ruled out that Todd Monken could pursue someone in free agency or draft a quarterback during or after the second round of the Draft.
The situation is that since arriving in Cleveland, Deshaun Watson has been a major disappointment. Between injuries and suspensions, he has played only 19 games since 2022 and has not played since Week 7 of the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders finished the year as the starter in seven games and, although he showed positive flashes, he also raised serious concerns.
They want the Houston Texans version of Deshaun Watson
When the Browns moved on from Baker Mayfield to sign Deshaun Watson in 2022, Cleveland expected to get the quarterback who shined with the Houston Texans for four seasons. In 2020, Watson threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. However, he has not come close to replicating those numbers with the Browns.
Garrett Bush, a Browns analyst, believes that a 2020-style version of Watson could lead Cleveland to the Super Bowl, which would be historic for the franchise. Still, those comments sparked controversy and even mockery on social media.
The reality is that nothing close to that has happened in Cleveland. He played six games in 2022, six again in 2023, and only seven in 2024 before tearing his Achilles tendon – an injury he suffered again during rehabilitation. As a result, he did not play a single snap during the 2025 season. Even so, he is back and will have an opportunity to compete for the starting job.
The truth is that his opportunity may not be solely based on performance, but also on his contract situation. Watson signed a five-year, $230 million deal prior to the 2022 season, one of the most heavily criticized contracts in franchise history. Still, he could have one final opportunity in 2026.
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