Shedeur Sanders Shows Maturity With Perspective On QB Competition

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws a pass in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.© Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images&period;

Shedeur Sanders Shows Maturity With Perspective On QB Competition

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jun 10, 2026 4:34 PM ET

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Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is in no hurry to name a starting quarterback as spring training ends and training camp approaches. Judging by Shedeur Sanders' response to that lack of decision, the young QB is clearly locked in.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Sanders declined to speak on how he feels he's progressed throughout the process.

“I don’t think I’m a judge. I’m not a judge,” Sanders said.

Sanders then said that he isn't paying attention to the discussion over whether he'll beat Watson for the job. He made it clear that his sole focus is on developing and "trying to improve every day."

“That’s nothing I’m focused on,” Sanders said. “I’m focused on developing as a player, doing everything, getting as comfortable as I can in the offense and the scheme and playing with confidence. That’s all I’m really looking for and trying to improve every day.”

Shedeur Sanders on QB competition: I'm not a judge, my focus is on improvement. https://t.co/YjkP7GE5xj
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 10, 2026

Shedeur vs. Watson

The Browns certainly have the most interesting quarterback controversy heading into the summer. On top of both men having to impress a first-year head coach, they have plenty of highs and lows they're working through right now.

Sanders was a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft despite being touted as a first-round pick by many following a standout career at Colorado. He was thrust into the starting lineup midway through the season and had a few impressive performances, earning a Pro Bowl selection and completing 56.6-percent of his passes for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

Watson is a former Pro Bowler in his own right who joined the Browns in 2022 but has struggled to return to the elite form he enjoyed between 2018 and 2020. He's played only 19 games over the past four seasons and missed all of 2025 while recovering from a serious shoulder injury.

If neither Sanders or Watson improves in 2026, the Browns could be in for a very, very long season.

On the other hand, if one or both of them can play to their highest level, the AFC North could be ripe for the taking.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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