Shedeur Sanders Behind Deshaun Watson in Browns QB Race

Tony Grossi on the Browns QB Battle

The Cleveland Browns enter training camp with a quarterback competition that appears heavily tilted toward veteran Deshaun Watson. Although Watson has not taken an NFL snap since 2024 and missed the entire 2025 season, analyst Tony Grossi predicts he will still emerge as the starter when pads hit. Meanwhile, rookie Shedeur Sanders posted solid numbers last year, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and ten interceptions across seven starts.

Grossi, who covers the Browns for ESPN Cleveland, said the most important work this year won’t revolve around the quarterback spot. He emphasized that developing young players at other positions will lay the groundwork for the next competitive Browns team, with a timeline extending into 2027. When pressed directly about the 2026 starting job, Grossi made it clear that health‑restricted Watson is still viewed as having a higher ceiling than Sanders.

Sanders’ Community and Training Efforts

Even with the quarterback race heating up, Sanders has kept a low‑key public profile and a high‑impact community presence. He organized a free youth football camp at Brooklyn Memorial Stadium just before veterans report, attracting more than 500 kids under the Browns Give Back banner. The event countered any narrative that the young signal‑caller is solely focused on contract battles or on‑field competition.

Sanders and Watson have already begun to build chemistry, meeting in Miami for voluntary skill‑position drills before official camp sessions. The former Clemson star said those informal workouts helped create a cohesive offensive unit that could last through the regular season. Watson described the partnership as essential for establishing a unified tempo and trust among the passing attack.

Sanders echoed a similar tone when discussing the quarterback room, telling 92.3 The Fan’s Daryl Ruiter that both players aim to be the best version of themselves. He added that the competition does not consume emotional energy, preferring to focus on daily improvement. The sentiment of mutual respect stands in contrast to the external narrative of a bitter battle.

Rookies Report and What’s Next

Rookies are slated to report on Thursday, kicking off the formal start of training camp. The quarterback race, such as it is, will begin in earnest when pads arrive in the second week of July. Regardless of who starts, the Browns’ longer‑term plans still hinge on building a deeper roster beyond the signal‑callers.