Currently, the Cleveland Browns possess the league’s most congested quarterback lineup, lacking a definite starting player for the 2026 season. Nevertheless, during the initial phase of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), a particular signal-caller appears to be decisively pulling ahead.
Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland conveyed this week that Deshaun Watson has reportedly gained a significant lead in the Browns’ contest for the starting quarterback position.
“In my opinion, he holds a lead that seems insurmountable at this stage of the spring practice period.”
Tony Grossi regarding Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson
It comes as somewhat of a shock that at such an early point in the spring, an individual has seemingly dominated a contest for the starting quarterback role. Only recently, head coach Todd Monken had expressed dissatisfaction concerning “shameful” interceptions made by the team’s quarterbacks.
Merely a handful of months prior, Monken was publicly lauding Shedeur Sanders and discussing his strong desire to collaborate with the budding passer. Back then, it appeared Watson truly had no long-term prospects with the Cleveland team.
Nevertheless, the overall situation has apparently shifted as the period between seasons progressed. All at once, the Browns’ management started openly indicating their willingness to consider extending Watson’s contract once it concludes after the current season.
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Shedeur Sanders’ performance metrics (2025): 56.6% passing accuracy, 1,400 yards thrown, 7 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, 6.6 yards gained per attempt, 68.1 quarterback rating
Sanders’ inaugural season as a professional was certainly not impressive enough to bypass a competition for the starting quarterback position this upcoming summer. According to NFL statistics provided by Pro Football Reference, his 18 percent rate of inaccurate throws would have placed him among the lowest six primary quarterbacks, and he recorded one of the National Football League’s highest interception percentages (4.7 percent).
Naturally, Watson has not exactly distinguished himself as the primary quarterback for the Browns. Between 2022 and 2024, he achieved a 9-10 win-loss record as the signal-caller, accumulating an 80.7 passer rating, a 61.2 percent pass completion rate, and a tally of 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions over 19 appearances.
Should Watson be designated as the Browns’ primary quarterback for the initial week of the season, an announcement likely many months in the future, his historical performance with the Cleveland franchise implies that other players will also receive opportunities. Given the enhancements made to both the offensive blocking unit and the pass-catching group, any player assuming the quarterback role ought to deliver a superior performance compared to what supporters observed over the previous two seasons.
