Overview
- ESPN Cleveland segments on Wednesday featured Jake Trotter and Tony Grossi saying the “Watson will start” buzz is coming from inside the building and questioning what that means for Shedeur Sanders.
- Head coach Todd Monken says he has not named a starter after only three practices, and GM Andrew Berry says performance, not contracts or draft status, will decide the job.
- Mary Kay Cabot previously reported Watson exited voluntary minicamp with an early edge for QB1, a view that multiple local outlets have echoed this week.
- Analysts increasingly cast Watson as a one-year bridge with little chance of an extension, with Jason Lloyd arguing the Browns gain no long-term value by investing more in him.
- The room of Watson, Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green has sparked debate over a Gabriel-as-backup pecking order and potential trade calls, with OTAs later this month set to clarify reps.