New Browns Rumors on Who Has 'Leg Up' in Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson QB1 Battle

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler feels Deshaun Watson has the "leg up" over Shedeur Sanders in the race to be named QB1 for the Cleveland Browns this offseason.

"The Browns have not made any sort of firm determination yet, but they like Watson's experience," Fowler said Friday on NFL on ESPN.

The Browns are hoping to finalize a starting quarterback by training camp in July, Fowler added.

Watson, who has not played since the 2024 season, is looking to make his return from multiple surgeries on his right Achilles tendon this fall.

That included an initial tear in October 2024 and a second surgery to repair the re-ruptured tendon in January 2025.

Watson has one year remaining on the five-year, $230 million deal he signed with the Browns ahead of the 2022 season before injury issues and suspensions derailed his career.

Sanders finished out last season as the Browns' starter after the team turned to him following stints with Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.

He completed his rookie season having led the Browns to a 3-4 record while completing 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Sanders also added 21 carries for 169 rushing yards and another touchdown.

Fowler said that Watson sees himself as a fit for the scheme that will be run in Cleveland under new head coach Todd Monken.

Prior to taking his first NFL head coaching role, Monken gained experienced as offensive coordinator with the Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens as well as the University of Georgia.

"Watson believes in Todd Monken's offense, which has some concepts like the Air Raid out of college, which he's run in the past," Fowler said. "Maybe some room in the freelance a little bit out of the pocket. He likes that, feels like it's a fit. But he's got to go win the job."

When asked Wednesday if one quarterback was winning the battle so far, Browns offensive coordinator Travis Switzer told reporters, "I don't know that we have somebody who's ahead."

Switzer added that OTAs have so far "almost been dead even as far as rotating those guys with the groups, and getting familiarity with the receivers in each one of those groups."

The Browns are holding another OTA session from June 2 through June 5, followed by mandatory minicamp from June 9 through June 11. Monken and Switzer could hope those sessions will help Cleveland decide whether Watson or Sanders should be taking the most reps with the top offensive unit when training camp kicks off in July.