Shedeur Sanders is set to face some serious quarterback competition heading into the 2026 NFL season as he will be fighting veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson for the position, according to the Cleveland Browns general manager, Andrew Berry.
Jan 4, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) takes a break from pregame warmups against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Jan 4, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) takes a break from pregame warmups against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
The Browns have had a tough year; not only did they end the 2025 season with an overall record of 5-12, but they also received backlash from the fans throughout for not handling the quarterback situation well, especially with Shedeur Sanders, who many individuals conspired to be the reason behind Kevin Stefanski’s dismissal.
As the Browns try to turn things around for the 2026 season with their new head coach, Todd Monken, general manager Andrew Berry told the media that all the quarterbacks in the locker room would have a chance at winning the starting quarterback job and also shared that adding a veteran quarterback to the roster is also being determined right now.
Berry further said that the franchise saw a lot of growth from game 1 to game 7 for Shedeur Sanders and also added that Watson is working his tail off to get completely fit for the 2026 season.
“browns collecting QBs like infinity stones.” one fan said.
“So it is the owners Cleveland that don’t want Sheduer. This Head coach was ecstatic to have sheduer, now it’s an open competition. As bad as the @MiamiDolphins management is, I’m always happy to know the @Browns are still here doing worse.” another fan wrote.
“Wow, talk about the Browns being the Browns. This tweet could not possibly be more Browns. I mean, honestly, do they even read or think about how stupid what they are about to say is going to sound before they say it anymore..!?” another fan added.
“Browns should do some chaotic rotation 1 in 1 out. Watson in Sanders out, followed by Watson out Sanders in. It would reflective of how dysfunctional the Browns organization is.” another fan sarcastically advised the Browns.
“Cleveland putting Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson in the same quarterback competition is the most chaotic roster decision of the offseason. One is a top draft prospect and the other is a former franchise quarterback with a complicated recent history. That competition room is going to be must watch television from day one.” another fan added.
“Watson still on the roster because that contract is basically a lifetime membership. Shedeur better bring his A-game or it’s another year of expensive backup QB theater.” another fan shared their thoughts.
Browns HC Todd Monken Greets Shedeur Sanders With Thrilling Reminder From the Past
Shedeur Sanders’ NFL draft was among the most chaotic ones in the recent history of the game. While he was projected to be picked in the first 10 picks, he dramatically slid to the 5th round and was picked as the 144th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns.
Many analysts blamed both Shedeur and his dad, Deion Sanders, for the dramatic draft slide as various reports of them declining to go to a few teams got out before the 2025 NFL Draft, with some insiders claiming the teams were thinking of the ex-Colorado quarterback as “arrogant.”
One of the teams that tried to draft Shedeur was the Baltimore Ravens. Deion shared in an interview months later that he didn’t want Shedeur to be on the bench and wait for his opportunity behind Lamar Jackson for a long time.
As the Ravens’ ex-OC Todd Monken takes charge of the Browns as their new head coach, he didn’t stop himself from reminding Shedeur about their previous interection:
“Hey, we tried to draft your ass last year, for God’s sake,” Monken said as he greeted Sanders. “It’s all worked out. You remember that, right? Someday we’ll get a chance to talk about that.”
Shedeur had to sit as the backup quarterback behind Dillon Gabriel for the majority of the first half of the season and ended up starting for the last 7 games.