Overview
- The Browns have not decided their Week 1 starter and will continue splitting reps between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders through training camp and the preseason to get live, padded evidence.
- Multiple outlets reported NFL teams have made inquiries about Sanders, but beat reporters and league insiders say Cleveland is not actively shopping him before camp.
- Tom Pelissero said he would “put zero stock” in claims the Browns are looking to trade Sanders now and predicted both quarterbacks are likely to be on the roster in September.
- Coaches and team analysts praised Sanders’ offseason gains in footwork, faster processing and field vision while noting his 2025 rookie flaws: about 1,400 passing yards, seven TDs, 10 INTs, a 3.24-second average time to throw and 23 sacks.
- Watson’s fully guaranteed, multi‑year contract and recent Achilles and shoulder injuries raise the stakes for the decision and make a post‑camp trade window more likely if Watson wins the job, affecting roster depth and Cleveland’s short‑ and long‑term plans.