The Cleveland Browns once again find themselves without a clear answer at quarterback as Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders continue battling for the starting job in training camp.
Sanders endured a below-average rookie season, while Watson entered the offseason as the presumed frontrunner. However, the competition has begun to shift, with Sanders emerging as the more impressive quarterback in training camp. Philadelphia Eagles legend LeSean McCoy now believes it is time for the former Colorado star to take over.
LeSean McCoy Makes Shedeur Sanders’ Case for Browns Starting QB Job
Sanders finished the 2025 season with a PFN QB Impact Score of 63.0, the second-lowest score in the league. He also threw for 1,400 yards while completing 56.6% of his passes with 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Despite the underwhelming numbers, Sanders flashed plenty of promise with his deep-ball accuracy. McCoy also believes the young quarterback has matured off the field. With Sanders now taking the lead in training camp, the former Eagles running back argued that the Browns should officially name him their starter.
“It’s time for Shedeur Sanders to take over the keys of the car for the Cleveland Browns,” McCoy argued on “Speakeasy.” “I mean, I understand money matters most, so I’ll never go against that, right? I’m a business man, [if] I invested this money, I want some results, but I think if we are waiting for these results, it’s not going to happen for Deshaun Watson.
“Shedeur Sanders is getting better and better and better. And the best thing about Shedeur is the offseason. He could have been anywhere in the world. One of the highest-paid jerseys. He’s got rap songs. He got ice. He can do anything. You know what he did? He took his (expletive) to Cleveland to work out and learn a new playbook. So I know what Shedeur Sanders is doing. He’s showing his growth, even in his interviews, bro.”
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McCoy then set an early-season deadline, arguing that the Browns should stop waiting if Watson fails to deliver over the opening weeks. He also dismissed the idea that Watson’s $46 million salary should justify keeping him on the field despite continued struggles.
“I’ll just say this, man,” McCoy added. “By Game 3, if we don’t see Deshaun Watson, I don’t care if it’s $47 million reasons why you gotta play him. Play Shedeur because the people in Cleveland deserve that. They are paying hard-earned money to watch these boys. You already lost Myles Garrett. What else [do they] want to watch?”
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The Browns acquired Watson from the Houston Texans in 2022 in a blockbuster trade before signing him to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, the richest fully guaranteed deal in NFL history at the time. Unfortunately for Cleveland, his first four seasons with the franchise have been a major disappointment.
Across just 19 games for the Browns, Watson has thrown for fewer than 3,500 yards while recording 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. After missing the entire 2025 season, however, he now has another opportunity to prove he can still be the Browns’ answer under center.
Sanders, though, is making a compelling case of his own. Through five days of training camp practice, he has completed 72 of 107 passes with 6 touchdowns and just 1 interception. Watson, meanwhile, has gone 71 of 115 with 3 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, giving Sanders the statistical edge in the competition.
