Are Browns serious about starting Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders in 2026?

Throughout March, the perception existed that 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders was "the early leader to win" the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback job over veteran Deshaun Watson this coming summer. 

However, that was before Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam insisted on Monday that Watson "has a great chance" to emerge as Cleveland's Week 1 QB1. During the latest edition of the "Orange and Brown Talk Podcast," Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer shared quite a noteworthy reaction to Haslam's comments. 

Is Deshaun Watson penciled in as the Browns' QB1 over Shedeur Sanders? 

"Jimmy was so effusive in his praise of Deshaun, so excited about him, so positive about him that it really leads me to believe that they are thinking seriously of him being their starting quarterback in 2026," Cabot explained. "And Deshaun Watson, if the season started tomorrow, I actually think he probably would be the starter." 

Cabot isn't alone. For an article published late Monday night, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote that he is convinced Watson is "a very real part of the team’s quarterback picture for 2026." While the Browns may draft a quarterback come April, such a decision wouldn't erase the fact that Cleveland gave up multiple high-value draft picks for the right to sign Watson to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract in March 2022. 

What has changed for Browns about Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders evaluation?

Last offseason, Haslam generated headlines when he acknowledged that acquiring Watson was "a big swing and miss" for the franchise. During the podcast, Cabot touched upon why Haslam seemingly has changed his mind about the 30-year-old who hasn't played in a meaningful game since he suffered a torn Achilles in October 2024. 

"They’ve talked to him," Cabot said about conversations involving Watson. "Jimmy has talked to him recently. He’s lighter than he’s been in years. He looks good in those workout videos." 

For an article published on Tuesday, The Athletic's Jason Lloyd noted that it seems to him that "the Browns want Watson to win the starting job." It remains to be seen how Sanders will respond to this latest career challenge.