The Cleveland Browns’ QB1 battle between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson has dominated the headlines during the NFL offseason. Sanders and Watson have split first-team reps during the Browns’ training camp and their first preseason game against the Chicago Bears.
Veteran Analyst Blasts Shedeur Sanders’ Ability
During this week’s segment of “The Odd Couple” radio show, analyst Rob Parker was brutal in his analysis of Sanders’ chances of usurping Watson in the Browns’ QB1 battle.
“I told you, Shedeur Sanders would not be the starting quarterback,” Parker said. “If he had proven himself, shown to them that he was the future and they could buy into him, they would have told Deshaun Watson, ‘Take that and your fat money cheque that we still owe you and get lost. Kick rocks,’ but they couldn’t do it.
“Don’t tell me because of the contract. We saw Russell Wilson jettisoned out of Denver; they ate the contract. Tua is out of Miami; they ate the money. They can do it… My point is, the reason Shedeur Sanders is not gonna be the starting QB of the Browns has nothing to do with anything other than he’s not good enough.”
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Parker further pointed out the factors in Sanders’ favor in his battle to be an NFL starting quarterback.
“If he was good enough, he has everything going his way,” Parker said. “He’s younger. He apparently should have a bigger upside rather than an often-injured quarterback.
“His last name. My God, they sold a gazillion jerseys because of his famous dad and last name. He was a Pro Bowl QB, wink, wink if you want to throw that in… Nothing has happened; he’s in the same spot because he’s not good enough.”
“Browns could have gotten rid of Watson if they wanted… look at the Giants with Russ, Dolphins with Tua! The reason the Browns won’t start Shedeur is because he simply is NOT GOOD ENOUGH!” 😱
📺@robparkerMLBbro and @Kdubblive have different takes on The @OddCoupleFSR about… pic.twitter.com/BWfpjSrLi0
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) August 19, 2026
Watson missed the entire 2025 season after re-rupturing his right Achilles tendon, which had ended his 2024 season. Since being traded to the Browns from the Houston Texans in 2022, Watson has only played 19 games (9-10) and has not regained the form that earned him three Pro Bowl nods.
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The former Clemson quarterback’s five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract has been criticized as one of the most disastrous deals in recent NFL history.
On the other hand, Sanders recovered from a disastrous draft-night slide to climb the Browns’ depth chart. The former Colorado star usurped Dillon Gabriel and finished his rookie season as the Browns’ starter, managing a 3-4 record.
He earned the second-worst PFN QB Impact score of 63.0 after tallying 1,400 passing yards on 56.6% completion, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions last season. Sanders will start the Browns’ second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday as coach Todd Monken mulls over his QB1 decision.
