The Cleveland Browns have a quarterback competition on their hands, and for the first time in nearly two years, Deshaun Watson looks like he’s actually in it. After missing all of last season recovering from a torn Achilles and sitting out the final months of 2023 with a shoulder injury that required surgery, Watson returned to the practice field during OTAs and minicamp looking healthier than he has since his early days in Cleveland.
According to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi, the most noticeable change in Watson’s game isn’t just that he’s moving better — it’s that he’s finally willing to challenge defenses downfield again. “He appeared to be more willing to push the ball downfield than the last time he played competitive football,” Oyefusi wrote. That’s a meaningful observation for a player whose deep-ball accuracy was a hallmark of his game in Houston but largely vanished after the trade to Cleveland.
Watson’s competition, Shedeur Sanders, has also turned heads during the offseason program. The rookie has shown poise and arm talent that have impressed the coaching staff. But the difference right now is experience — and the fact that Watson is healthy enough to actually show it.
Why the deep ball matters in Todd Monken’s offense
The Browns brought in offensive coordinator Todd Monken to open up the passing game, and his system thrives on vertical threats. If Watson can stretch the field, it changes the entire dynamic of Cleveland’s attack. Defenses can’t stack the box against Nick Chubb, and the intermediate routes open up underneath. That’s the theory, anyway.
Monken has been careful not to tip his hand publicly, but he hinted that both quarterbacks have made the decision harder than he expected. “It would feel different if I didn’t feel like their progression hadn’t gotten to this point where I think they both can start and play winning football,” Monken said. “I’m convinced of it. And I’d say it if I didn’t. I mean, I can’t decide now because I think both have earned the opportunity to continue to compete once we put the pads on.”
That’s as close as a coach will get to saying the job isn’t decided without actually naming a starter.
What’s next for the Browns’ QB room
Training camp and the preseason will ultimately determine who takes the first snap in Week 1. Monken noted that he can’t fully evaluate either quarterback until the pads go on and the hitting starts. That’s when decisions under pressure — and throws into tight windows — become real tests.
Watson’s willingness to push the ball downfield is a promising sign, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The Browns still need to see consistency, decision-making, and leadership. For Sanders, it’s about proving he can handle NFL speed and complexity after a college career that made him a household name.
Either way, Cleveland’s quarterback situation in June looks a lot more promising than it did in January. Watson is healthy, Sanders is flashing, and Monken has the luxury of a real competition rather than a desperate placeholder.
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