Browns' Deshaun Watson puts Shedeur Sanders on notice with stellar practice day

A story shared on Wednesday morning noted that second-year pro Shedeur Sanders began the day "probably leading" the competition for the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback job versus veteran Deshaun Watson. 

It sounds like Watson offered quite a response to that report during Wednesday's practice. 

Deshaun Watson produces best training-camp performance after Shedeur Sanders report

According to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Watson "had his best day to date" of training camp on Wednesday.

"After two consecutive practices in pads," Oyefusi wrote, "the Browns practiced in shoulder pads and helmets and ran extensive red zone and goal line 7-on-7 drills. Watson excelled, throwing multiple touchdowns, but he also looked more in sync and confident pushing the ball downfield in other team drills."

Unofficial stats posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) by ESPN Cleveland show that Watson seemingly won the day, as he completed 17 of 20 pass attempts for seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. Meanwhile, Sanders went 11-of-16 with two scores and one interception. 

Deshaun Watson put Shedeur Sanders on notice in one big way

Earlier this week, first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken revealed that he wanted Sanders "to get in and out of the huddle a little cleaner" and "be a little faster with [his] decision-making." Per Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand, "Watson reasserted his lead in the QB competition with cadence more than completions" on Wednesday. 

"The cadence period seemed important because Monken has been harping on the pre-snap penalties, which he has ostensibly blamed on cadence issues with the quarterbacks, primarily Sanders," Grossi explained. "...In the first set, Watson was able to draw end Jared Verse to jump offsides. In his second set, Watson caused another defensive lineman to jump the count. The offensive team celebrated each time, knowing Monken’s passion about getting this right. In Sanders' two sets against the second-team defense, nobody jumped, and he had to execute a play. It wasn’t a sexy exercise that made the rounds on social media. But it was probably the most important period of the day, and Watson aced it in front of Monken without throwing a pass."

Currently, Watson and Sanders are competing for the right to start Cleveland's preseason opener at the Chicago Bears on Aug. 15. It sounds like those who have been assuming that Sanders is on track to get the nod for that contest should pump the brakes regarding such takes following Wednesday's practice. 

Grossi also added that "Monken all but confirmed he won’t name a QB1 before the joint practice against the Bills on Aug. 20, which had been kind of an unofficial target." Both Watson and Sanders are expected to play in Cleveland's home preseason game versus the Bills on Aug. 22.