The Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation just got a whole lot more interesting—and not in the way Shedeur Sanders was hoping. After a promising finish to the 2025 season, many believed Sanders had positioned himself as the long-term answer under center for the Browns. But as the offseason unfolds, it's Deshaun Watson who's suddenly grabbing the spotlight, and even college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit has taken notice.
During a conversation with former Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Herbstreit was caught off guard by the latest developments. "He brought up Deshaun, like Deshaun's healthy and back, and this was maybe a month ago or so. And I was like, 'Damn, I thought he was medically retired,'" Herbstreit recalled. "I didn't know he was back in the mix, and he said, 'Oh no, man. He's like I think he's back.' It was just interesting to hear about Deshaun."
Herbstreit's update aligns with recent buzz from the Browns' front office. Team owner Jimmy Haslam openly backed Watson as QB1 during the NFL annual meeting, emphasizing that the three-time Pro Bowler is poised for a fresh start this season. Insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reinforced that sentiment, reporting that Watson's offseason progress has given him the edge over Sanders in the two-man competition.
"Deshaun Watson emerged from the Browns' voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition—and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1," Cabot reported, citing team sources.
What's working in Watson's favor? For starters, his experience is paying off. The 30-year-old has adapted quickly to new offensive coordinator Todd Monken's system, which features spread concepts similar to what Watson ran in Houston under Tim Kelly. That familiarity allowed him to hit the ground running, earning first-team reps during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills from day one of minicamp. He continued to dominate snaps in red-zone and two-minute drill situations, further solidifying his status as the frontrunner.
For Sanders, this is a tough setback. After closing out the 2025 season on a high note, he now faces an uphill battle to reclaim the starting role. Watson's NFL experience and early chemistry with Monken's playbook give him a clear advantage—at least for now. But as any football fan knows, the quarterback carousel can turn quickly, and this competition is far from over.