The Cleveland Browns are heading into another training camp with a real quarterback competition on their hands. And this time, it’s not just a formality. Second-year player Shedeur Sanders has reportedly made enough progress that the gap between him and veteran Deshaun Watson has shrunk significantly.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Browns are nowhere near naming a starter yet. That’s not just coachspeak. They actually want to see how both guys look in live preseason games before making a call.
“Shedeur Sanders has made enough strides to where he’s closed the gap at least somewhat,” Fowler said. “It’s going to be interesting starting camp, and they are nowhere near naming a starter yet. They want to see not only training camp action, but some preseason game action to see what these two guys can do. Most around the league do expect Watson, the veteran, to get this job.”
Of course, Watson being the presumed favorite isn’t a shock. He’s the veteran with the massive contract and the track record, even if that track record comes with a lot of baggage and some inconsistent play over the past couple seasons. But the door is definitely open for Sanders, which is more than a lot of people would have guessed this time last year.
Earlier this month, Fowler noted that Sanders had a strong minicamp and that the new coaching staff — led by head coach Todd Monken — was impressed with what they saw.
“But Shedeur was decisive, I was told he’s got a presence about him that the new coaching staff noticed that they might’ve underestimated a little bit,” Fowler said. “I expect this to go into preseason games.”
This is not your typical training camp battle where one guy is clearly just keeping the seat warm. Sanders has shown enough that the Browns could realistically start him if he keeps building on this momentum. And if Watson stumbles or looks rusty coming off his own extended layoffs and injuries, the shift could happen faster than anyone expected.
So what actually happens? A lot depends on how Watson looks in camp. He’s still the more polished passer and has the arm talent that made him a franchise QB in Houston. But Sanders brings mobility, a quicker release, and maybe more importantly, a clean slate with the fanbase. Watson’s off-field issues and uneven play have not exactly made him a beloved figure in Cleveland.
Monken has said all the right things about wanting competition at every position. But quarterbacks are different. Coaches usually want clarity before Week 1, not drama. If Sanders can force that clarity by outplaying Watson in August, the Browns will have a decision to make that few saw coming even a few months ago.
This thing is going deep into the preseason. And that alone makes this one of the more intriguing QB battles around the league.
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