Unless you have a rooting interest in the Cleveland Browns, you’re probably not expecting much from a franchise that has spent decades meddling with mediocrity.
Whether it’s Deshaun Watson leading the charge at quarterback or Shedeur Sanders, more of the same is likely on the horizon for the Browns in 2026. But they still have to be cognizant of the future and make the right decision under center in the present.
Browns Should Deploy Shedeur Sanders Over Deshaun Watson
Uncertainty at quarterback has essentially been the name of the game for the Browns since their inception.
Watson has played in just 19 games since joining the Browns in 2022 due to an onslaught of injuries and even a suspension. Considering the Browns traded three first-round picks to the Houston Texans for Watson’s services and the right to sign him to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract, the trade was nothing short of a horrific catastrophe.
Watson, who turns 31 years old in September, hasn’t played in a game since the 2024 season, when he tore his right Achilles tendon. He re-ruptured the Achilles tendon the following January, forcing him to undergo a second surgery, which sidelined him for all of 2025.
In the meantime, the Browns cycled through the likes of Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Sanders at quarterback last season, never finding a true, full-time option. Sanders started seven games, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for another touchdown.
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It was a ghastly showing for Sanders, a fifth-round pick, but it would behoove the Browns to hand the reins over to him this season just to be certain in what they have. They’re more than likely not going to be competitive anyway, so what do they have to lose?
“Starting anyone but Shedeur Sanders is dumb,” said NFL analyst and former quarterback Dan Orlovsky on ESPN’s “Get Up” Monday morning. “Deshaun Watson, I understand, is there; he’s played 19 games in six years in that span. It’s also shoulder surgery on his throwing arm and Achilles surgery. Figure out what you have.
“You have two first-round picks next year. At some point, you have to look at that young player, see if he even has the potential to be your future, because what are you going to do? Deshaun? If he plays well, then you’re going to pay him again? Sheduer Sanders should be the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.”
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It’ll be a clear two-man race for the starting job in Cleveland this summer, just as it has been for much of the offseason. Flacco was the Browns’ starter early last season before he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, paving the way for Gabriel, a third-round rookie, to take over. Gabriel sustained a concussion after six starts, prompting the Browns to turn to Sanders.
In an ideal world, a project like Sanders would have the luxury of riding the bench, banking practice reps, and absorbing as much information as possible so that he’s fully prepared by the time he has to take the field. But the NFL isn’t an ideal world; when your number is called, you have to answer.
According to PFN’s QB Impact Metric, Sanders posted an impact score of 63.0 last season, ranking second-worst in the league. It’s about what you’d expect from a day-three quarterback who was thrown into the fire.
