Browns get rude awakening with Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson comments

The Cleveland Browns have found themselves in an unexpected situation with their quarterback competition involving Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. As the season nears, the only remaining major quarterback battle in the NFL features these two players, both of whom possess talent and unique strengths. Sanders, being younger and brimming with second-year energy, has displayed promising yardage metrics, while Watson brings extensive veteran experience and a desire to prove himself.

However, one NFL analyst, Ben Solak of ESPN, believes that neither player can realistically become the Browns' franchise quarterback for years to come. Solak describes the Browns' quarterback situation as one of the most cursed training camp battles, emphasizing the likelihood that the team does not possess a competent starter on its roster. He criticizes the notion of a quarterback competition when neither option appears to be a viable choice.

Watson's recent performance in 2024 was lackluster, with an average of just 4.03 yards per dropback, ranking 942nd out of 947 quarterbacking seasons in the past decade that had at least 200 dropbacks. Meanwhile, Sanders' rookie season in 2025 saw him averaging 5.55 yards per dropback, ranking 755th. While Sanders' performance is respectable, it is not exceptional either.

Solak suggests that Sanders may have a higher ceiling due to his age and relative inexperience, but acknowledges that the Browns are financially committed to keeping Watson around for another season. The team's pre-June 1 dead-cap hit of $86 million in 2026 creates a complex predicament. Ultimately, one of these quarterbacks must significantly improve this season to secure the position of the franchise signal-caller for the future.