Shedeur Sanders was handed the starter job late in the 2025 season, but he’s now in a direct battle with Deshaun Watson as the veteran returned from multiple Achilles injuries.
Although Watson has struggled since joining the Browns, he still has one year left in his fully guaranteed contract, so Cleveland has no incentive to move him.
Shedeur Sanders Gets Tired of Answering Questions on Browns’ Quarterback Battle
Sanders was the third quarterback to start games for Cleveland in 2025. He threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, winning three out of seven games as a starter. His performances were hardly impressive, and he was ranked as No. 37 in our PFSN QB Impact Metric last season with a 63.0 rating.
The Browns already know that Watson can’t play. However, the situation is curious, as Sanders is also far from a certainty to be a franchise quarterback. The Browns also can’t trade or release Watson, as his contract is fully guaranteed, and no one would trade for him given his return from a serious injury and his play since 2022.
There’s a quarterback battle happening in Cleveland, with Watson as the pre-camp favorite, but no definite answer. Shedeur, however, is tired of answering questions about who’s starting or sitting on the bench: his only focus is on improving.
“I answered this question a thousand times. We focus on ourselves and what we do, and what we need to do to get better each and every day. So, that’s just what I care about”, Sanders said.
Shedeur Sanders on QB competition pic.twitter.com/EasASWhDEN
— Chris Easterling (@ceasterlingABJ) August 1, 2026
The Browns are at a curious crossroad. After three years of Watson struggling, and now returning from a torn Achilles, they have no incentive to play him again. However, since he can’t be moved because of his $40.9 million cap hit, they can just let the best quarterback play. If he’s the best passer in training camp, he’d get the job.
On the other hand, by playing Sanders, they would at least know whether he improved from his rookie season in the NFL. But if he can’t beat Watson considering the circumstances, then he’s probably just not good enough to lead a team.
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Cleveland has an extra first-round pick in the 2027 draft as a result of Myles Garrett’s trade early during the offseason. If they’re on the market for a quarterback then, the Browns would have extra ammunition to move up in the order and take a new passer.
