Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders continue to be at the center of uncertainty as the Cleveland Browns have yet to decide who will start at quarterback for the 2026 season. Meanwhile, six-time Pro Bowler Chad Johnson confidently said that Watson will enter the season as Cleveland’s QB1, leading many to believe that Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy may have revealed inside information.
What Chad Johnson Said About the Browns’ Quarterback Battle Between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson
On the latest episode of the “Nightcap” podcast, Johnson said that he believes Watson is currently in line to be the Browns’ starter and will have roughly six weeks to prove he can lead the offense in 2026. He also said that if Watson fails to meet expectations, Sanders would likely step in as the backup before eventually taking over as the starter for the remainder of the season.
As Johnson was recently seen spending time with Jeudy, some fans quickly assumed his comments were based on insider information from the Cleveland locker room.
“He was just with Jerry Jeudy. Believe him,” a user “daedae” said.
“Jerry Jeudy really a snake,” prominent Colorado fan “GUCCE” wrote.
“Jerry running that mouth again 😂 he was just with Ocho a couple of weeks ago. He need to focus on not losing WR1,” fan “Sunny Diane” said.
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The Browns’ quarterback situation has been anything but stable in the last few years. After acquiring Jeudy, Cleveland rotated through four starting quarterbacks in 2024 and three more the following season. However, speaking with The Land On Demand, Jeudy said having Watson and Sanders back is “a great feeling.”
The battle for the starting job is expected to continue throughout training camp and the preseason. According to The Athletic’s Zac Jackson, head coach Todd Monken’s decision will ultimately come down to whichever quarterback gives the Browns the best opportunity to score, something that may not become clear until live-game action begins.
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As practices intensify over the summer and both quarterbacks face more realistic pass-rush situations, fans will get a better idea of who has the edge. However, potentially leaking the competition beforehand left many off guard.
“Wow, he leaked in-house information. That’s crazy,” a user “Erik Vance” said.
“[Expletive] is so obvious. Shady said the same thing to the tee, lol they source is the same,” one fan “SKO-LONG” said.
While Johnson and others see Watson as the frontrunner, many believe his inability to clearly separate himself from Sanders is concerning. At his peak, Watson was among the NFL’s elite young quarterbacks, but injuries and inconsistency have derailed his career, as he has not completed a full season since 2020. He has struggled to regain his previous form since arriving in Cleveland in 2022, raising questions about whether he can ever return to that level.
As for Sanders, he entered the NFL with first-round expectations following a standout career at Colorado. However, he slid down the draft board and failed to establish himself fully during his rookie season.
In 7 starts last season, Sanders threw for 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He earned a Pro Bowl selection, but his overall performance drew criticism, and he finished with an F grade in PFSN’s QB Impact rankings.
The Browns’ quarterback competition remains wide open. Watson must prove that injuries have not permanently diminished his abilities, while Sanders needs to show he can develop into a reliable starter capable of thriving on a bigger stage.
