This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.
According to NFL analyst Mike Clay of ESPN, the Cleveland Browns' biggest weakness for the 2026 season is the QB room.
The Browns' QB room is Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Taylen Green and Dillon Gabriel.
"New season, same weakness," Clay wrote. "Cleveland is letting now-healthy Deshaun Watson battle it out with 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders for the starting job, with Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green also on the roster. Watson has struggled badly during 19 games played in four seasons with Cleveland, and missed all of 2025 because of a torn right Achilles. Sanders produced eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions in eight games as a rookie while completing a league-worst 57% of his passes."
According to The Athletic's Zac Jackson, Watson lacked consistency through organized team activities (OTAs) while in competition with Sanders for the Browns' starting QB job.
Watson is not the surefire starter for the Browns ahead of training camp.
A former star, Watson missed the entire 2025 season recovering from his Achilles tear. Suspension and injuries have limited the veteran to just 19 games since he arrived in Cleveland.
Since making his Browns debut, Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR, the lowest among qualified passers.
A Clemson product, Watson has 3,365 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns with Cleveland. He's thrown 12 interceptions.
The Browns will start Watson or Sanders next season. As expected, Watson wants to start so he can prove to everyone that he's still a starting QB in the NFL.
"I think each and every person that walks into the locker room should have that mindset that you want to start in this league," Watson said. "That's why we show up each and every day, to be able to go out there and be able to perform on Sundays or whatever that day is. So yeah, it's definitely the main focus of why I work hard to be able to come back."
The Browns did restructure Watson's contract in March, so 2026 will probably be his last year with the team. Cleveland freed up close to $36 million in cap space.
Watson was set to have an $80.7 million cap hit in 2026, the largest in the NFL. The 2026 season is the final guaranteed year of Watson's contract. He's set to count for a $44.9 million cap hit.
Sanders finished his rookie season with 1,400 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 169 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He went 3-4 as a starter.
Most Cleveland fans want Shedeur to start because Watson has been horrible since getting traded to the Browns. Watson also dealt with off-the-field stuff.
When Watson tore his Achilles, many Browns fans cheered. That should tell you everything about how Cleveland fans regard Watson.
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