A Cleveland Browns insider feels "stronger than ever" that Shedeur Sanders will start over Deshaun Watson next season.
Deshaun Watson will compete with Shedeur Sanders in training camp for the Cleveland Browns' starting QB spot in 2026.
However, Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic feels "stronger than ever" that Sanders will start over Watson.
"I know the folks atop the Browns' organization publicly praised Deshaun Watson," Jackson wrote. "I wholeheartedly believe there’s excitement for Watson getting healthy and trying to come back from his injuries and previous failures in Cleveland.
"But I feel stronger than ever that Sanders, not Watson, is the favorite to win the starting job. Sanders is 24 and signed for three more seasons. He was never the team’s Plan A last season and might not be Plan A for the future, but giving Sanders every chance to win the job and make real progress is clearly the best option right now."
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.
Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement selection. He's one of the most popular players in the NFL because of who his dad is: Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
Suspension and injuries have limited Watson to 19 games since he arrived in Cleveland. Since making his Browns debut, Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR, which would be 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.
"If Sanders puts his best foot forward, he's the Browns' best option for this summer and fall," Jackson wrote. "I can't predict what happens when the season begins, and there is a world in which Watson outplays Sanders to the point that the coaching staff actually believes Watson could truly elevate the offense.
"But I think the job is Sanders' to lose, and we'll all soon see what twists and turns are encountered here in Chapter 19 of the Browns' perpetual quarterback competition."
Cleveland went 5-12 last season. Todd Monken replaces Kevin Stefanski, who was fired and joined the Atlanta Falcons as their new HC.
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