Deshaun Watson is back under center for the Cleveland Browns, and coach Todd Monken has given his take.
With OTAs now underway, the new Browns coach addressed the quarterback competition on Wednesday. Watson is competing to start over Shedeur Sanders.
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“He’s made plenty of money. That’s not what’s driving him,” Monken said. “What’s driving him is he wants to compete and prove he can still play. I’m all for a clean slate. I want the best for every player.”
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Deshaun Watson arrived in Cleveland via a 2022 trade from the Houston Texans. Cleveland gave up three first-round picks, three third-round picks and multiple players to land him.
He started 19 games as a Brown, throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. However, two separate Achilles surgeries, the second in October 2024, kept him off the field for an extended time. Before that, an 11-game suspension following sexual misconduct allegations further disrupted his Cleveland tenure.
Sanders started seven games last season and finished with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He completed 56.6% of his passes. Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green are also in the mix.
Deshaun Watson already has the edge, per an ESPN insider
ESPN Cleveland insider Tony Grossi believes Deshaun Watson is likely to land the Browns’ QB1 role in the 2026 season.
“I think it’s evident that Watson has an edge right now,” Grossi said. “He’s in the best shape he’s ever been. He’s showing no effects of two Achilles tendon surgeries.”
Todd Monken’s offensive system is also expected to work in Deshaun Watson’s favor. The Browns are moving toward more spread concepts and quicker reads, a structure that mirrors what Watson ran during his best years in Houston.
Edited by R. Elahi