Deshaun Watson Predicted to Win Browns' QB Battle Against Shedeur Sanders

Veteran Deshaun Watson is predicted to win the Cleveland Browns' QB battle against second-year player Shedeur Sanders by NFL analyst Alex Kay of Bleacher Report. 

"Sanders will likely have to settle for opening another season on the bench barring a truly impressive showing—coupled with a Watson collapse—against Buffalo this weekend. Predicted Winner: Deshaun Watson," Kay wrote. 

Watson started the first preseason game against the Chicago Bears. The former Houston Texans star went 11/15 through the air for 126 passing yards. He was sacked once and turned the ball over on a fumble.

Meanwhile, Sanders went 6/11 through the air for 79 passing yards. He threw one interception in the fourth quarter.

Sanders will start the Browns' next preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Cleveland will start Watson or Sanders in Week 1 of the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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. 

Meanwhile, since making his Browns debut, Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR, the lowest among qualified passers. The odds of Watson turning back the clock after an Achilles tear are pretty low, which is why many NFL pundits believe Cleveland should start Sanders so the team can fully evaluate him for an entire season.

Watson has 3,365 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns with Cleveland. He's thrown 12 interceptions. Many Cleveland fans want Sanders to start because Watson has been horrendous since getting traded to the Browns. He also dealt with off-the-field stuff.

When Watson tore his Achilles in 2024, Browns fans cheered. That should tell you everything about how Cleveland fans regard Watson. 

It is exceedingly unlikely that the Browns have a good starting quarterback on their roster. It's shaping up to be another long season Cleveland fans. 

The Browns play the Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts this season. That's a pretty tough schedule. 

All signs point toward Cleveland missing the playoffs in Year 1 of the Todd Monken era.