Could Browns make controversial Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson decision?

Multiple Cleveland Browns reporters raised eyebrows when they revealed that they're "hearing" that first-year head coach Todd Monken could name veteran Deshaun Watson Cleveland's 2026 Week 1 starting quarterback over polarizing 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders.

During a Monday appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," league insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network interestingly echoed such takes. 

Is Deshaun Watson on track to start over Shedeur Sanders this September? 

"If I had to guess, and these are guesses, not reports," Rapoport responded when asked who the favorite is to win the Browns' quarterback competition, per Abhimanyu Chaudhary of Pro Football Network. "My guess is Deshaun Watson…Here’s my argument. When he’s been healthy, he’s been for sure good enough to be a starter."

Watson earned three Pro Bowl nods while with the Houston Texans from 2017 up until he sat the entire 2021 season out amid a desire to be traded. Since being acquired by the Browns in March 2022, Watson has made just 19 regular-season starts. He was one of the league's worst starting quarterbacks of the 2024 campaign before he went down with a torn right Achilles in October of that year, and he hasn't played since after reinjuring his Achilles. 

Sanders, meanwhile, left much to be desired with his play during his rookie season. Thus, recent updates from reporters have led some outsiders to believe that the Browns view Watson as the best player currently in the club's quarterback room. 

Does Deshaun Watson and not Shedeur Sanders give the 2026 Browns the best chance to win? 

"Two years ago...when he broke his shoulder, he led the team back on a comeback and [it was] like, 'All right, like this guy is really starting to play well,'" Rapoport added. "Then he got hurt again. So, I don’t know. Are these freak things? Who knows? But if healthy, I think he gives them the best chance to win. Now, it’ll be a competition, but that’s what I think." 

It certainly sounds like Browns fans who want the club to be all-in on starting Sanders this September should prepare themselves for a scenario that involves Watson emerging as the club's QB1 by the time the preseason comes to an end.