As Shedeur Sanders threw for a 52-yard strike to Isaiah Bond in his NFL debut in Week 12, it gave Berea something it had not seen for long: explosive-play flashes and enough composure to end a 17-game losing streak by Cleveland quarterbacks making their first start. His 10.45 yards per attempt were the 15th-best single-game mark by a Browns QB since 2006. He made a promise of being the one and was staying put, better compared to the other QBs, at least.

The season ended with only three wins for him, but everyone’s hopes couldn’t have been higher. Enter the Browns’ biggest financial mistake, Deshaun Watson. After missing the entire 2025 season due to a reaggravated injury, he is back on the field. Now, we don’t know whether he will improve the Browns’ offense or not. However, he seems to be giving Sanders a tough competition, as alluded to by Kirk Herbstreit’s latest remarks after talking to former Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

“He brought up Deshaun, like Deshaun’s healthy and back, and this was maybe a month ago or so. And I was like, ‘Damn, I thought he was medically retired,'” Kirk Herbstreit said. “I didn’t know he was back in the mix, and he said, ‘Oh no, man.’ He’s like, ‘I think he’s back.’ It was just interesting to hear about Deshaun,” he said.

Watson is a name that many regret in Berea. After all, his five-year, $230 million 2022 was the biggest bust of all time that they continue to pay for, literally.

He has only played 19 games for the Browns in three seasons, missing at least half of each and an entire 2025. The record is only as underwhelming with 9-10 QB rec. But when the question came whether Jimmy Haslam would let him go and take a dead cap hit, he, unexpectedly, pushed for him at the NFL annual meeting. Which brings us to today, where Shedeur Sanders, a quarterback who fought his way from being a third-string rookie to a starter, is back to point zero.

Herbstreit’s update isn’t a one-off case.

Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot reported that the three-time Pro Bowler was the frontrunner for the starting job based on his offseason progress. It is worth mentioning that Watson’s long run in Berea will highly depend on his health, something that has been breaking everyone’s trust so far.

While Dillon Gabriel, another second-year quarterback in Cleveland, is no longer part of the conversation, the two-man quarterback competition has tilted in favor of Watson after the voluntary minicamp.

Watson’s experience is giving the veteran an edge

Firstly, experience will always dominate someone who is a mid-round quarterback. And Watson’s has helped him adapt to Todd Monken’s system at a quicker rate than Sanders and the other quarterbacks. Monken’s system includes spread concepts Watson learned in Houston under Tim Kelly, allowing him to adapt quickly.

The 30-year-old earned more snaps with the first team during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills on the first day of voluntary minicamp. He then continued as the primary quarterback with the first team, taking most of the reps in the red zone and during the two-minute drill. Another factor that appears to work for Watson has been his experience in the NFL.

Watson recorded 17,904 yards and 123 touchdowns over 73 games while leading the Texans to two consecutive AFC South divisional titles, which will be important to lead a young Browns offense.

Cleveland’s top three picks from the 2026 draft, ninth overall pick offensive tackle Spencer Fano, along with wide receiver duo KC Concepcion (24th pick) and Denzel Boston (39th pick), as well as sophomore standouts like tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and running back Quinshon Judkins, are expected to start.

Hence, a seasoned veteran throwing the ball would bring much-needed stability and allow them to develop into stars of the sport.

After this development, it appears that Sanders may once again have to wait for his starting spot in the 2026 season. However, for Sanders, his problems don’t end just with Watson, as the Browns also drafted another quarterback in the recent NFL draft who received a positive evaluation from GM Andrew Berry about his role with the team.

Browns GM raves about Taylen Green amid Shedeur Sanders’ uncertainty

After a rookie season with 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while leading the team to a 3-4 record, it seemed that Shedeur Sanders would be the Browns’ starter for at least the 2026 season. However, with Deshaun Watson emerging as a favorite, Sanders is expected to be on the bench.

But the former Colorado Buffaloes QB isn’t relaxing as the designated QB2, especially after the Browns drafted Taylen Green in the sixth round. Green featured in all 12 games for the Razorbacks last season, completing 60.7 percent of his passes for 2,714 yards and 19 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, along with 777 rushing yards and eight rushing TDs while averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

He also impressed the NFL world with a dominant performance at the Combine, with various quarterback records at the event. Hence, based on this all-around ability, Browns GM Andrew Berry alluded to his involvement in the rotation during a recent media appearance.

“With Taylen specifically, very mature young man,” Berry told reporters, as per Bleacher Report. “Really strong makeup, and he has rare physical gifts.

“He has size, he has elite speed, and he has an enormous arm. He’s gonna need some polish with his game, but he has the work ethic, and he has the acumen to do so. So, we’re looking forward to adding him to the roster and adding him to the mix in terms of competition.”

The Browns’ QB situation heading into 2026 is crowded. Deshaun Watson has taken the lead in the competition, with his experience and familiarity with Todd Monken’s system giving him an edge. Shedeur Sanders, after a modest rookie season, now faces pressure from both Watson and newly drafted Taylen Green.