The Cleveland Browns enter the upcoming season with renewed optimism surrounding Deshaun Watson’s return to full health, yet questions remain about whether handing him the starting role represents the wisest path forward for the franchise.
Watson arrived at the offseason program in strong physical condition and quickly positioned himself as the frontrunner to regain control of the quarterback position. Despite that early momentum, the rapid development shown by Shedeur Sanders has complicated any immediate choices by the organization.
Analyst Dan Graziano of ESPN suggests Watson might still carry a narrow edge as training camp approaches. At the same time, he wonders about the tangible benefits of restoring the veteran to the lineup right away.
“Week 1, boy, I’d flip a coin. I’m gonna say probably Deshaun Watson, but I believe Shedeur Sanders has the opportunity to win the job in camp,” Graziano said on “Get Up.”
“It’s a brand new coaching staff. At the beginning, they were very excited to see Deshaun Watson healthy, which he has not been for a while. When their offseason began, I think that’s probably where they were leaning.”
“Shedeur Sanders, to my understanding, has performed well throughout the offseason and made it, at least, a question mark. For me, I don’t know what’s gained by Deshaun Watson starting games for you this year if you’re the Browns.”
Starting Watson would provide the Browns with a more seasoned leader for the early portion of the schedule, which features a pair of away contests to open the year. His experience could prove valuable in stabilizing the offense during those initial tests on the road.
However, Watson is heading into the last season of his current deal and has suited up for just 19 games since arriving in Cleveland back in 2022. Even if he delivers a solid performance, the team would still confront another major decision at the position once the 2027 offseason arrives.
Sanders endured an inconsistent rookie campaign, connecting on 56.6 percent of his throws for 1,400 yards while recording seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Nevertheless, the second-year signal-caller accumulated meaningful reps across seven starts and has demonstrated noticeable improvement during recent team sessions.
Turning the offense over to Sanders might not produce instant success, but it would afford Cleveland an extended window to thoroughly assess his potential as a long-term building block.
Should the young quarterback deliver strong results and contribute to victories, the Browns could head into the following offseason armed with far greater certainty regarding their most critical roster spot. His fifth-round rookie contract would also supply the club with valuable financial flexibility moving forward.
Recent activity off the field has further highlighted the competitive dynamic between the two passers. Watson and Sanders took part in a joint workout session in Florida alongside several members of the Browns’ offensive roster.
Participants at that gathering included wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond, along with rookies KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, and running back Dylan Sampson.
As preparations intensify, the Browns plan to maintain a rotation between Watson and Sanders once training camp officially opens. This approach should allow both players to compete for the starting job under the watchful eye of the new coaching staff.
Ultimately, the organization faces a pivotal choice that balances short-term stability against long-term potential, with the outcome likely shaping the direction of the franchise for years to come.
