Matt Johnson
The Cleveland Browns have one of the most fascinating quarterback rooms in the NFL right now, setting up an intriguing position battle that will last well into the summer. While NFL training camp is still a few months away, it appears there’s an early leader in the Browns’ quarterback competition.
During an appearance on SportsCenter this weekend, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Deshaun Watson has “hit it off” with Browns head coach Todd Monken and some around the league believe he can win the starting job.
“He’s been a factor already on the practice field. I’m told he’s hit it off with Todd Monken, who’s got an offensive concept, some elements that Watson has run in the past and been his best at…Talking to people around the league, they believe that Watson could eventually earn this job.”
Jeremy Fowler on Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns QB competition
Watson, who turns 31 years old in September, last played in regular-season action on Oct. 20, 2024. He’s recovered from two Achilles tears and had seemingly been in jeopardy of his NFL career ending as of 2025.
That set the stage for Shedeur Sanders being viewed as the early favorite to be named the Browns’ starting quarterback in 2026. While he didn’t play well in his rookie season, posting an 18.9 ESPN QBR with a 7-10 TD-INT line, there was optimism he’d improve with the remade supporting cast in Cleveland.
However, Fowler’s reporting backs up what’s been said in recent weeks by Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot. At the end of April, she wrote for Cleveland.com that Watson had the “inside track” to win the competition.
Regardless of who is named the Browns’ starting quarterback for Week 1, we’ll likely see both Watson and Sanders on the field in 2026. Given how they’ve both performed in Cleveland, there’s also a real possibility that even Dillon Gabriel gets some chances this fall.
