Browns insider addresses key perception about Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson competition

On Tuesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic suggested that the Cleveland Browns' "lack of quarterback activity" over the first week of the new league year "can be viewed as a partial endorsement of a plan that involves letting" Shedeur Sanders be the early leader to win the Week 1 starting job over Deshaun Watson. 

During the latest edition of the "Orange and Brown Talk Podcast," Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer indicated that outsiders shouldn't assume Sanders has an advantage in the upcoming quarterback battle.

Is there a real "front-runner" in Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson competition? 

"On opening day, he will compete for that job," Cabot said about Watson. "And I’ve talked to people that think he’s the front-runner, and I’ve talked to other people that believe that Shedeur is the front-runner." 

It's understandable that recently hired Browns head coach Todd Monken would have his depth chart written in pencil instead of pen as of the final days of winter. Statistically speaking, Sanders may have been the worst overall quarterback of the 2025 season among qualified players. That said, he made just seven starts as a rookie and put three wins on his resume. 

While Watson earned three Pro Bowl nods as a member of the Houston Texans, he hasn't played at such a level since the 2020 season. The 30-year-old also hasn't taken a meaningful snap since October 20, 2024, due to the multiple Achilles injuries he has dealt with over the past year and a half.

How the Browns' offense will look different depending on whether Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson wins the starting job

"If you think Deshaun is going to be your guy and he has his mobility back, then you’re going to do different things with him than you would do with Shedeur," Cabot added. "Because [Watson] is a genuine dual-threat quarterback." 

Such comments indicate neither Sanders nor Watson has a real advantage regarding a competition that should last through at least a portion of the preseason. It's also possible that the Browns could add another player to their quarterback room.