Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson QB1 Battle Updated by Todd Monken as Browns Open Training Camp

The Cleveland Browns started training camp on Wednesday, and all eyes are on the starting quarterback competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson as head coach Todd Monken begins his first season at the helm.

On that front, Monken gave an update to reporters prior to practice. In essence, Sanders and Watson will both get their chances to shine, and there isn't a timeline on naming one of them QB1.

Sanders, who is entering his second NFL season, started the Browns' final seven games last season. He completed 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

His 68.1 quarterback rating and 18.9 QBR both ranked last in the NFL among all signal-callers who started at least seven games, per Pro Football Reference.

However, the then-rookie was thrown into a midseason fire amid a very tough Browns campaign that ended with the 5-12 team finishing last in the AFC North. Sanders did show some promising moments, like when he threw for 364 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns in a 31-29 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Watson has played seven seasons for the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns. He signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract with Cleveland prior to the 2022 season.

Unfortunately for Cleveland, Watson has not panned out in town. He made just 19 starts over the 2022-2024 seasons, completing 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,365 yards (6.0 yards per attempt), 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Watson is returning from a torn right Achilles tendon suffered in Oct. 2024 during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He suffered a re-rupture of that tendon in Jan. 2025 while rolling his ankle in Miami.

Practices will continue into August, and then the three-game preseason slate starts on Aug. 15, when the Browns visit the Chicago Bears.