Browns QB Shedeur Sanders explains value of 'extremely important' offseason move

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Deshaun Watson (4) and Shedeur Sanders (2). IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders explains value of 'extremely important' offseason move

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 19, 2026 6:58 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders remains in a close competition with Deshaun Watson for the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback job.

Sanders is seeking all possible edges in the contest. That includes spending as much time as possible with Cleveland's offensive skill players.

Shedeur Sanders explains decision to attend passing camp with Browns skill players and Deshaun Watson

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that Sanders and Watson co-hosted a passing camp for their teammates in Miami this past week. The list of participants included wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, K.C. Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Jamari Trash and running back Dylan Sampson.

"I think it was extremely important, for us as a group, for whoever was available to come down to Miami," Sanders said. "For those that came, it was truly amazing, and we felt a different type of bond there. Just outside the facility, outside of these things... It's exciting. You create these real memories, these real bonds, and it's irreplaceable."

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders on working out with teammates in Miami, including Deshaun Watson. pic.twitter.com/9YQtfhhFDx
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) July 19, 2026

If it helps Sanders create real chemistry with his teammates, that would make the experience even more worthwhile. That may help him earn the job after he failed to prove he's the answer during his rookie season.

Sanders, pick No. 144 of the 2025 NFL Draft, played eight games for the Browns last season, completing 120-of-212 passes (56.6 percent, below average) for 1,400 yards, seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

It wasn't all bad for Sanders, who showed he isn't afraid to throw the ball inside the numbers. Per The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner, he ranked third among rookie starters since 2020 in yards per attempt between the numbers (8.55). Again, that's not enough to convince the Browns they should ditch Watson (entering the final year of a five-year, $230M deal) for the former Colorado Buffaloes star.

Sanders and other veterans will report for training camp on July 28. Watson reportedly enters with a slight lead, but new head coach Todd Monken is giving the second-year passer more time to "flip the switch." He's expected to name a starter shortly before Cleveland's season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13. We'll soon see if getting more reps with Cleveland's pass-catchers pays off for Sanders.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads: