When Browns' Shedeur Sanders reportedly closed the gap in QB competition vs. Deshaun Watson

Without question, the biggest story of the Cleveland Browns' offseason program involved 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders closing the gap in the competition with Deshaun Watson for the starting quarterback job that now likely will run through at least the middle of August. 

While it was suggested in April that Watson could be named Cleveland's QB1 shortly after the club's mandatory minicamp wrapped up last week, head coach Todd Monken now seems prepared to let things play out through at least the team's preseason opener at the Chicago Bears on Aug. 15.

For a piece published on Sunday, Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer touched upon why Browns players entered their summer breaks without knowing the identity of their Week 1 starting signal-caller. 

The Browns "want to see more of Shedeur Sanders" before choosing a starting quarterback

"I believe the reason [Monken] has decided not to name a starting QB at this point is based upon how Shedeur Sanders has progressed," Pluto wrote. "I was told he 'made really nice strides' in the last two weeks of practices. The Browns like Sanders’ accuracy. He has also shown mobility. They want to see more."

This past Friday, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that he felt Sanders "had an excellent spring" while working with Monken, an advertised offensive and quarterback guru. Sanders went 3-4 across seven starts during his debut pro season, but he was also responsible for some lackluster statistics. 

Do Browns feel Deshaun Watson is turning the clock back?

As for Watson, he hasn't been an elite quarterback since he earned his last of three Pro Bowl nods with the Houston Texans for the 2020 season. He hasn't taken a meaningful in-game snap since he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a home game in October 2024, as he later reinjured that Achilles during his recovery. 

"The Browns believe he is moving well after having two Achilles surgeries," Pluto said about Watson. "But they are not ready to hand him the starting job." 

Watson should get to show how well he is moving around these days against the Bears before a winner of Cleveland's competition is revealed. Then again, perhaps this battle will extend through the Browns' preseason finale against the New England Patriots on Aug. 27.