Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns quarterback competition is over, and the veteran is getting the nod over the sophomore.

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According to multiple reports, Browns head coach Todd Monken is set to name Deshaun Watson as the team’s starting quarterback over second-year player Shedeur Sanders. That is despite Watson’s tough weekend, when he had a bad preseason performance and called out the fans for booing him.

Sources: The #Browns are naming Deshaun Watson as their starting QB for Week 1. The favorite going into camp. Now the starter, officially. pic.twitter.com/fOHO0SOAW9

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 24, 2026

Watson is last played in 2024, when he suffered an Achilles injury that cost him all of 2025, but he is the most senior member of the Browns quarterback room. That, along with his fully-guaranteed contract, likely gave him the edge in the competition this Summer.

Here’s why the Browns named Watson the starter.

MORE: Deshaun Watson lashes out at fans for booing him

Browns QB depth chart

Watson will begin the season as the starter when the Browns play the Jaguars in Week 1. Watson hasn’t played in a regular-season game since 2024, when he tore his Achilles and went just 1-6 as the Browns starter. The veteran still has a $40 million cap hit this year, which marks the final year of his contract.

Sanders, meanwhile, will be the backup to begin the year but will likely get playing time at some point if Watson struggles. The former fifth-round pick had a solid showing in the second preseason week, but it wasn’t enough to earn the starting job.

Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green are set as the third and fourth quarterbacks on the depth chart, but that may not be the case entering the season. Gabriel, who was a third-round pick in 2025, is on the bubble and could be cut or traded if the Browns decide they want just three quarterbacks this year.

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Green, whom the Browns selected late in the 2026 NFL Draft, is a project quarterback who will likely not play much this year. Green is someone whom the Browns will try to develop this season, hoping he could improve behind the scenes by the end of the year.

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Why Deshaun Watson won Browns QB job

The Browns decided to go with Watson, opting for the veteran instead of the younger Sanders. Watson hasn’t played in a regular-season game in two years, and his fully guaranteed contract is set to expire after the season ends.

Watson seemed to get the first crack at winning the starting job when Monken went with him as the starter in the team’s first preseason game. The veteran completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards, outplaying Sanders, who had just 79 passing yards and an interception on six completions vs. the Chicago Bears.

Sanders got the start in the second week of the preseason vs. the Bills, which was primarily highlighted by Watson’s struggles. Sanders totaled 74 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception while completing 9 of 11 passes, and Watson had just 36 passing yards and an interception on five completions.

Presumably, the Browns likely think it would be easier to bench Watson for Sanders than the other way around. If Watson falters, Sanders will be ready to take over, while benching Watson would signal the end of his Browns career.

In the meantime, Watson will get two road games to begin the season as a starter before the Browns’ home opener in Week 3.

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