The ongoing battle for the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback position remains a central focus of the team's offseason developments. While Deshaun Watson has reportedly been receiving the majority of first-team repetitions, second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders recently addressed the situation during a press conference.
Sanders emphasized that there is no friction regarding the competition, stating that there has never been a miscommunication between him and Watson. He expressed frustration with outside speculation, noting that he does not appreciate when people criticize the coaching staff, adding that the primary goal for everyone involved is to win and function as a cohesive team.
During the 2025 season, Sanders recorded 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across eight appearances, including seven starts. The Colorado Buffaloes product played a role in three Browns victories and earned a Pro Bowl selection as an injury replacement for Drake Maye. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson is aiming for a return to form after missing the entirety of the 2024 campaign due to an Achilles injury. The three-time Pro Bowler has faced a challenging tenure in Cleveland, having yet to appear in more than seven games in a single season, and is looking to prove himself ahead of potential contract renegotiations.
The Browns have undergone significant roster and staff changes this offseason, including the hiring of Todd Monken to replace Kevin Stefanski, the departure of franchise icon Myles Garrett, and the addition of multiple high-potential rookies. As the team prepares for the preseason, they face a challenging schedule, starting with a road game against the Chicago Bears, followed by a home matchup against the Buffalo Bills, and concluding with a game against the New England Patriots. Expectations are that both Sanders and Watson will see significant playing time during these preseason contests, which are expected to provide clarity on the starting quarterback situation before the regular season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
