Browns Keep QB Race Open as Watson Emerges as Frontrunner
Coaches will wait for padded training camp plus preseason reps as Watson's post‑Achilles recovery along with a fully guaranteed contract raises the stakes.
Overview
- The Browns have not named a Week 1 starter after mandatory minicamp ended on June 11, and the club says the choice will be made during padded training camp and preseason game reps.
- Multiple reporters and team voices say Deshaun Watson is the current favorite after offseason work that staffers praised for improved footwork and mobility.
- Shedeur Sanders has shown clear technical gains that have narrowed the gap with Watson and kept the competition alive into preseason.
- Watson has not played since his October 2024 ruptured right Achilles and subsequent surgeries, making live game reps a crucial health check for the coaching staff.
- The decision matters for roster and long‑term planning because Watson's fully guaranteed contract creates pressure to evaluate him closely while retained draft capital preserves a 2027 quarterback option if the 2026 result is inconclusive.