Shedeur Sanders Addresses QB1 Battle with Deshaun Watson in New Video from Browns' Training Camp

Shedeur Sanders commented Saturday on his competition with Deshaun Watson for the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback job.

Speaking to reporters at Browns training camp about the QB1 battle, Sanders said, "I answered this question a thousand times. We focus on ourselves and what we do, and what we need to do to get better each and every day. So, that's just something ya'll think about and ya'll care about."

After starting seven games for the Browns as a rookie last season, Sanders is vying to be Cleveland's starting quarterback when it opens the 2026 regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13.

Per Browns play-by-play announcer Andrew Siciliano, Sanders provided some insight Saturday into his psyche during training camp thus far, saying, "Of course there are going to be good days, bad days. That's when I spend every minute of my time trying to be the best quarterback I can be and the best leader for this team."

Sanders also commented on the importance of the offseason work he and Watson did with some of their wide receivers in Miami, saying, "Any rep at any point in time is extremely important. Even the guys that weren't able to make it, we talk about different things in the building and we work after practice on things. Every rep that we're able to get with our guys truly makes a difference and truly builds that trust and connection."

Selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft by the Browns out of Colorado, Sanders began last season as Cleveland's third-string quarterback behind Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel.

However, after Flacco got traded to the Cincinnati Bengals and Gabriel got injured, Sanders assumed the starting role in the middle of the campaign.

In eight games and seven starts overall, Sanders went 3-4, and he completed 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while also rushing for 169 yards and one score.

Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl, and while that had more to do with multiple quarterbacks dropping out than his play being worthy of a Pro Bowl nod, the fact that he won three games for what was a five-win team overall is something he can build upon.

Watson was not in the quarterback mix for the Browns last season, as he missed the entire year due to an Achilles injury.

The 30-year-old signal-caller has a history of success, as he went 28-25 and earned three Pro Bowl selections over four seasons with the Houston Texans.

Cleveland acquired him and signed him to a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract in 2022, but the move has not paid dividends for the Browns thus far.

Watson has been limited to 19 starts in Cleveland, primarily due to injury, and he has posted a 9-10 record, while completing 61.2 percent of his passing attempts for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

After the firing of Kevin Stefanski and hiring of Todd Monken, there is a new coaching regime in place in Cleveland, which suggests Watson and Sanders are on equal footing and will both be given a fair chance to win the starting job in training camp and the preseason.