Shedeur Sanders ended the 2025 NFL season as the starting quarterback for the [Cleveland Browns](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/cleveland-browns).
If this prediction comes true, he'll begin the 2026 season in the same position.
Shedeur Sanders predicted to win Browns' starting QB job
---------------------------------------------------------
Sanders is in the midst of a competition for the job with veteran Deshaun Watson, who missed the entirety of the 2025 season due to an Achilles tear.
In a [recent article](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25435933-predicting-winners-nfls-biggest-qb-competitions-2026-season) for Bleacher Report, Brent Sobleski predicts that Sanders will beat out Watson in training camp to secure the starting spot.
From Sobleski:
> Sanders should be considered the Cleveland Browns' only choice for QB1 this fall. ... The idea of Deshaun Watson somehow coming back from an Achilles tendon that's been ruptured twice, while having failed to provide NFL-caliber play since 2020, is nothing but wishful thinking by ownership.
>
> ... Sanders may not be the long-term answer behind center, but the sophomore signal-caller at least provides some hope if he can mature as a leader and further develop his skill set.
No official decision has been made regarding the starting spot in Cleveland, but Browns head coach Todd Munken has been impressed with the development that he's seen from Sanders so far this offseason.
“I think he’s being more decisive. Now, it’s easy to say we’re not in pads. It just feels like he’s making quicker decisions, the ball is coming out of hands, which he’s gonna have to do," Munken said of Sanders.
"Not because of playmaking ability, which he does. His ability to process quicker and get the ball out of his hands, and eliminate lost-yards plays, it's gonna be huge for us to be able to stack plays and score, which is ultimately the number one thing to do.”
A final decision regarding the starting job in Cleveland will be made when the team returns for training camp at the end of July.
**More NFL news**: