In a recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Ian Rapoport was asked about the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition, and his prediction favors Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders.
Watson’s tenure in Cleveland has been defined by absences. Since the Browns acquired him from Houston in March 2022 for three first-round picks and additional selections, he has appeared in just 19 games. A ruptured Achilles in October 2024, followed by a re-tear in January 2025, cost him the entire 2025 campaign.
Ian Rapoport Makes Case for Deshaun Watson to Start for Browns
The NFL insider acknowledged his take was speculative but laid out a clear argument for Watson’s case.
“If I had to guess, and these are guesses, not reports,” Rapoport said. “My guess is Deshaun Watson… Here’s my argument. When he’s been healthy, he’s been for sure good enough to be a starter.”
“And there are games when, like, he broke his shoulder,” Rapoport added. “Two years ago, right? When he broke his shoulder, he led the team back on a comeback and was like, ‘All right, like this guy is really starting to play well.” Then he got hurt again. So, I don’t know, are these freak things? Who knows? But if healthy, I think he gives them the best chance to win. Now, it’ll be a competition, but that’s what I think.”
Watson has not been the same elite quarterback since arriving in Cleveland, but Sanders failed to cement himself as a franchise quarterback during the opportunities he had last season.
Sanders finished his rookie season with poor numbers. The Colorado product completed 56.6% of his passes in 8 games with more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (7). According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, he ranked as the fourth-worst quarterback in the league last season with an impact score of 56.9.
New head coach Todd Monken’s offense is built on timing and quick decisions, and it requires a quarterback who can process at NFL speed. Sanders showed flashes in a 364-yard, 4-touchdown performance against the Tennessee Titans, but failed to find consistency.
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As for Watson, although the chances of him returning to the level he showed for the Houston Texans are slim, he can still be a difference-maker for the Browns. The three-time Pro Bowler knows this year might be his last chance to be an NFL starting quarterback, and he will be determined to be the best version of himself.
Cleveland can give Watson first crack without abandoning Sanders. If the veteran fails, the Browns will be able to pivot to a young quarterback with an offseason in Monken’s system under his belt.
