What Chad Johnson is allegedly hearing about Browns' Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson competition

Multiple reports shared before the Cleveland Browns' mandatory minicamp wrapped up on June 11 made it known that 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders closed the gap in the competition with veteran Deshaun Watson for the team's starting quarterback job. 

Meanwhile, former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson seems to be close with current Cleveland wideout Jerry Jeudy. Thus, Johnson's comments about the Browns' quarterback battle that were made during the latest edition of the "Nightcap" program understandably raised some eyebrows among pockets of Cleveland fans and local media members. 

Does Deshaun Watson already have the starting job won? 

"Cleveland Browns fan or not, Deshaun Watson is the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns," Johnson said, per Jimmy Swartz of Browns Nation. "It is his job to lose." 

Johnson's supposed update isn't necessarily shocking. After all, it was reported as recently as last week that people within the Browns "know" that team co-owner Jimmy Haslam "wants Watson to play and try to earn" what's left of the fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract that Cleveland gave Watson as part of acquiring him from the Houston Texans in March 2022.  

Later in the week, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN said that he still believed Watson was "in a good position" to ultimately be named Cleveland's Week 1 starter. However, it sounds like the figurative leash on Watson could be quite short this coming fall. 

When could the Browns make an in-season Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders move?

"He has six weeks," Johnson added about Watson. "I guarantee you. Listen to me now. I’m calling it right now. He has six weeks to make sure that team is playing above or better than whatever the expectations may be for that team. If he’s not, Shedeur Sanders will fall in line as the backup and be the starter for the remainder of the season." 

By all indications, both Sanders and Watson will receive opportunities to impress when Cleveland opens the preseason with a matchup at the Chicago Bears on Aug. 15. It's unknown if first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken has a specific date in mind for when he wants to publicly reveal the identity of his Week 1 QB1.