Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Getty
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
A former Cleveland Browns quarterback believes Deshaun Watson has the edge over Shedeur Sanders in the race for the starting quarterback job.
As it stands, Watson is set to battle Sanders for the starting job in a competition that feels driven more by circumstance than a clear long-term vision. Despite the trade for Watson being widely viewed as a disappointment — and after missing all of last season — there’s growing momentum behind the former Pro Bowler as the likely Week 1 starter under new head coach Todd Monken.
“I think Todd Monken with Deshaun’s skill set, and we saw what he was able to do with Lamar (Jackson), they’re a player that not just sits in the pocket but can move, can use their legs to a certain extent,” Brian Hoyer said on SiriusXM. “I actually think it’s a great option because if Deshaun’s back and healthy and can play the way that Deshaun Watson can play, I think he’s your starting quarterback.”
Hoyer, who spent two seasons with the Browns and logged 16 starts, added the business reality underpinning Watson’s opportunity.
“They didn’t give him all this guaranteed money because he wasn’t a good player,” Hoyer said. “At some point, Deshaun was one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He’s dealt with injuries, he’s dealt with off-field issues. It’s not as crazy when you really think about it and you take the emotion out of it that they’re gonna give him an opportunity to win this job.”
Browns Owner Bullish on Watson at Owners Meetings
Deshaun Watson will battle Shedeur Sanders for the Cleveland Browns quarterback role
GettyDeshaun Watson will battle Shedeur Sanders for the Cleveland Browns quarterback role
One year after publicly calling the Watson trade a “big swing-and-miss,” Browns owner Jimmy Haslam struck a noticeably different tone this week in Arizona.
“Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive-minded coach, who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful,” Haslam told reporters, per ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. “So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now. We talked to him the other day, he said he weighs the least he has in several years. He’s in great shape, he’ll be in Cleveland on April 7 when we start the offseason workout program. Let’s see what Deshaun can do. We’re all excited.”
Haslam also acknowledged that Watson threw the ball well during a three-week stretch late last season when the Browns opened his 21-day practice window. Watson was never activated to the 53-man roster but was able to knock off some rust in a practice setting. Watson has been working out with some of the Browns’ top receivers this week as Cleveland prepares for the start of their offseason program.
Browns Relying on Competition to Drive QB Decision
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson faces a final chance to get his career on track.
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson faces a final chance to get his career on track.
General manager Andrew Berry reinforced Haslam’s stance, making clear Watson will have every opportunity to win the job outright. Berry also raised eyebrows by leaving the door open on a Watson contract extension, telling reporters there is “no rule” against extending a player if he performs.
“We’re probably just more focused on performance and best players,” Berry said, per Mary Kay Cabot. “Certainly, time horizon factors into that, but just with any veteran player, there’s no rule against extending the player’s contract if they perform and they do well.”
Watson has appeared in just 19 games since Cleveland traded three first-round picks and handed him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022.
In those 19 starts, Watson went 9-10, completing 61.2% of his passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He is expected in Berea on April 7 when the Browns begin voluntary workouts.
Sanders went 3-4 across seven starts in 2025, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland’s third-round pick last season, also remains on the roster but isn’t expected to be in the mix for the starting gig.