Browns Share Deshaun Watson Update After Shedeur Sanders Announcement

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Browns Share Deshaun Watson Update After Shedeur Sanders Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Shubham Bajpai | Last updated Sep 13, 2026 9:05 AM ET

Todd Monken saw Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson locked in an intriguing quarterback battle during the NFL offseason, after the Cleveland Browns struggled during the 2025 NFL season and finished the campaign with a disappointing 5-12 record.

Sanders had the opportunity to make the starting role his own over the final eight games of the 2025 season, but his turnover issues raised serious questions.

While Sanders failed to convince, Watson also had his own hurdles to overcome as he was returning to competitive football after being sidelined for the entire 2025 season due to an Achilles tendon injury. This meant that both Sanders and Watson had a point to prove in a bid to be named the Browns starting quarterback for the 2026 season.

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson take part in a drill on the first day of minicampUSA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

It was Watson who came out on top as Monken decided to name him the starter after evaluating him throughout the offseason and preseason. Monken also recently announced that Sanders will serve as Watson’s backup for the Jaguars game. This decision might secure the Browns’ immediate future, but the long-term questions still persist.

Watson signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the Browns on March 18, 2022 as part of the trade that sent him from the Houston Texans to the Browns. The contract runs through the 2026 NFL season. This means the veteran only has the 2026 season remaining on his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

The Browns’ general manager Andrew Berry appeared on the “ESPN Cleveland” show recently. When asked about an update regarding Watson’s future with the Browns, Berry said, “In terms of the future, you know, I think part of that, you know, just candidly remains to be seen, right? For any player that has their contract expiring, and I think, you know, quite honestly performance has a big part of that.”

“You know, I wouldn’t take anything off the table because, you know, I’ve learned, and probably more times the hard way, that you really don’t know what the future holds or how circumstances change,” he added.

The ball is now in Watson’s court as he gears up to lead the Browns in their first regular-season game against the Jaguars on Sunday, September 13.