NFL: Will Deshaun Watson Start Over Shedeur Sanders Next Season?

The Cleveland Browns enter the 2026 season with one of the league’s most unsettled quarterback situations, now under new head coach Todd Monken, who has made it clear there will be a true competition rather than a predetermined starter. While veteran Deshaun Watson is viewed internally as having a “fresh start” and remains a leading candidate for QB1, his recent years have been derailed by injuries, including a missed 2025 season and inconsistent availability. At the same time, younger options like Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are pushing for reps, with Monken emphasizing that playing time will not be evenly split as he evaluates who gives the team the best chance to win on a daily basis. The result is a wide-open and somewhat tense situation in Cleveland, where Watson’s experience and contract status give him an edge, but his performance and durability leave the door open for a legitimate challenge heading into training camp. Will Wastson start over Sanders and Gabriel? Who should be the starter?