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Browns Leave Quarterback Job Unsettled as Watson and Sanders Head to Padded Camp

The choice will shape whether Cleveland leans on Deshaun Watson’s final guaranteed season, keeps Shedeur Sanders for development, or uses its draft assets to target a long‑term answer.

Overview

  • Coach Todd Monken has not named a Week 1 starter and says the competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will be decided in live, padded training camp and preseason play.
  • Deshaun Watson has publicly trained at the Browns facility and posted a workout video this week, but his recent absence from games and two Achilles injuries have left his readiness under scrutiny.
  • Pro Football Focus ranked Watson last among projected starters, citing limited recent play and inconsistent OTAs, which feeds public doubt about his ability to hold the job.
  • Teams have called about Shedeur Sanders’ availability, yet Browns legend Joe Thomas and the club’s public comments urge patience to let Sanders develop rather than trading him for a low return.
  • Cleveland’s March restructure of Watson’s deal and its accumulated draft capital give the franchise a third option of seeking a long‑term quarterback in future drafts if neither current option is convincing.