The Cleveland Browns appear to be laying the groundwork for Deshaun Watson to reclaim the starting quarterback job over Shedeur Sanders, according to one longtime team analyst.
Daryl Ruiter of “92.3 The Fan” believes the organization’s recent messaging about Watson isn’t coincidental. Owner Jimmy Haslam spent last week at the NFL’s annual meetings talking up the embattled quarterback, and Ruiter sees a clear pattern emerging.
Browns’ Messaging Points Toward Deshaun Watson Starting
Ruiter didn’t mince words about what he’s seeing from the Browns’ front office. “They are softening the ground for him to win that competition a 100%,” He said. “There’s no question about that, and that’s smart on their part to lay that groundwork now, Ken, because there is a real possibility that he’s your starter Week 1. I mean, that’s not hyperbole. That’s not trying to stir up any drama or anything like that.”
“No, it’s a real possibility,” Ruiter added. “They’ve done nothing in that quarterback room right now. Shedeur Sanders ended the season as the starting quarterback for the team. Those two are going to be your main competitors. It’s Deshaun vs. Shedeur Sanders as of right now, subject to change, whether they make a move in the coming weeks or, God forbid, they draft a quarterback early in this upcoming draft.”
The analysis tracks with Haslam’s comments from last week. The owner told reporters Watson has “a great chance” and a “fresh start” under new head coach Todd Monken, adding that the former Pro Bowler is “in great shape” and weighs the least he has in years. It’s a significant shift from a year ago, when Haslam called the Watson acquisition “a big swing-and-miss.”
“They are softening the ground for him to win that competition 100%. That’s smart on their part to lay that ground work because there’s a real possibility he’s your starter week 1.”
📞@RuiterWrongFAN on the Browns messaging around Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/HW04RSb4RG
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) April 6, 2026
Watson’s tenure in Cleveland has been a disaster by any measure. Since the Browns traded three first-round picks and gave him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022, Watson has played just 19 games out of a possible 68.
An 11-game suspension in 2022, a shoulder injury that ended his 2023 season, and back-to-back Achilles tears have kept him off the field. When he’s played, he’s posted a 9-10 record as a starter, with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, Watson finished the 2024 NFL season as the 39th-ranked quarterback in the league with an impact score of 51.1, the worst mark of his career.
The contract reality may be driving Cleveland’s calculus, as Watson carries a massive cap hit and the Browns still owe him $46 million in 2026. Getting any return on that investment requires Watson to see the field.
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Sanders showed flashes in his seven starts last season, including a 364-yard, four-touchdown performance against Tennessee. But his overall numbers were rough: 56.6% completion rate, 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
The Browns may view Watson’s experience and pre-injury track record as the safer bet, even if the ceiling is lower than it once was.
Haslam acknowledged the injuries have “ravaged” Watson but remains “cautiously optimistic” about a bounce-back. With Monken’s offensive pedigree and Watson’s reported physical condition, Cleveland seems prepared to give its $230 million investment one more shot.
