Deshaun Watson Beats Shedeur Sanders in Browns' QB1 Battle for NFL Week 1 vs. Jaguars

Shedeur Sanders will begin his second season in the NFL on the bench for the Cleveland Browns.

Deshaun Watson was named the team's starter over Sanders on Monday for the Sept. 13 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport added that Watson was the "favorite going into camp" ahead of Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

The quarterback battle between Sanders and Watson was the biggest storyline surrounding the Browns during OTAs and training camp, and the veteran ended up showing new head coach Todd Monken enough to win the job.

During the early portion of OTAs in May, Monken told reporters he hoped to have a quarterback depth chart in place by training camp but also did not want to rush things. He added, "we'll have it set for Jacksonville."

Yet there were signs Watson was gradually pulling away as training camp progressed:

Watson also started the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears and played solidly while going 11-of-15 for 126 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. Sanders entered the game after him and struggled while going 6-of-11 for 79 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

It was Sanders who played better in the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills by going 9-of-11 for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Watson was just 5-of-12 for 36 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

Watson then slammed Browns fans for booing him in the aftermath:

After all the back-and-forth, the depth chart is now set for Jacksonville. That means Sanders will have to wait for the chance to improve on his rookie-year struggles.

Cleveland selected him with a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft after he surprisingly fell so far despite being the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in his final collegiate season. He began his rookie campaign on the bench but eventually got the opportunity to start.

While his 3-4 record in seven starts doesn't exactly jump out, the Browns were 2-8 in their other 10 games. But it's not as if Sanders led the way to that improvement with excellent individual play, as he finished with seven touchdown passes, 10 interceptions and an ugly 18.9 QBR.

Still, he flashed his potential at times and played through the inconsistency that many rookies deal with in their first NFL season. He figured to be better in 2026 with a potential second-year leap, but that will be more difficult now from a backup role.

As for Watson, the Browns certainly hope he moves past the disappointment that has defined his tenure with the team.

There was a time when he was one of the best quarterbacks in the league when he made three straight Pro Bowls for the Houston Texans from 2018-20. He also led the entire NFL with 4,823 passing yards in 2020.

Yet he has made just 19 starts since the Browns traded for him before the 2022 season due to a combination of suspension and injuries. He is 9-10 in those starts and is yet to throw for more than seven touchdowns in a single season with Cleveland.

The 2026 campaign is set to be the final one on Watson's contract with the AFC North team. Winning the starting job gives him and the Browns a chance to salvage something after the team gave up draft capital in his acquisition and then gave him a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal.

But this means Sanders will have to wait for his next chance.