It’s clear that Deshaun Watson hasn’t lived up to expectations with the Cleveland Browns. Since arriving in 2022, his tenure has been widely viewed as a disappointment. That said, the blame doesn’t fall solely on the quarterback-it can also be shared with owner Jimmy Haslam, general manager Andrew Berry, and former head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Before Watson, the Browns had Baker Mayfield, who led the team to the playoffs in 2020 and delivered the franchise’s first postseason win since 1994. However, after a difficult 2021 season, Cleveland decided to move on from Mayfield and instead traded three first-round picks to the Houston Texans to acquire Watson, along with giving him a massive deal.
That contract was for five years and $230 million-fully guaranteed, the largest of its kind at the time in NFL history. The move has not paid off. Since joining Cleveland, Watson has played only 19 games due to injuries and suspensions, and he hasn’t seen the field since Week 7 of the 2024 season because of a serious Achilles tendon injury.
Shedeur Sanders could take over
The Browns still have more questions than answers at quarterback. They showed interest in Malik Willis, who ultimately signed with the Miami Dolphins. Unless Cleveland makes a surprise move in free agency or the draft, the competition appears to be between Watson and Shedeur Sanders.
Radio analyst Ken Carman from 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland weighed in on Sanders’ situation, suggesting that the job could already be his to lose:
“For Shedeur Sanders, this was a massive win. If they brought in Malik Willis that’d be a big-time loss… I think it’s Shedeur’s job to lose.”
Sanders closed his recent stretch with seven starts, throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He could have the edge in the competition, especially considering that Todd Monken had interest in him a year ago as a potential backup to Lamar Jackson with the Baltimore Ravens.
The key factor: money and recovery
The challenge for Sanders is that Watson appears to be fully recovered, at least based on his social media activity. Financially, the situation also favors Watson-he is set to earn $46 million guaranteed in 2026, which could heavily influence the decision.
Ultimately, the starting job will come down to one person: new head coach Todd Monken. The battle between Watson and Sanders is real, but the final call rests entirely in Monken’s hands.
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