Dan Orlovsky warns Browns on possibly starting Deshaun Watson amid QB1 battle

Deshaun Watson is expected to get the starting quarterback role for the Cleveland Browns heading into the 2026 season. However, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes that Shedeur Sanders ideally should get the QB1 role for Cleveland, after impressing in his rookie year.

“Starting anybody but Shedeur Sanders is dumb,” Orlovsky said on “Get Up.” “Deshaun Watson, I understand, is there; he’s played 19 games in six years. In that span, it’s also shoulder surgery on a throwing arm and Achilles surgery. Figure out what you have, with Sanders, which is two first-round picks next year. At some point, you’ve got to look at that young player, see if he’s even the potential of being your future.

“‘Cause what are you gonna do, Deshaun, if he plays well, and you’re gonna pay him again? Shedeur should be the starting QB in Cleveland.”

The Browns took Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft. In his rookie year, the QB completed 120 of 212 pass attempts (56.6%) for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across eight games (seven starts).

Sanders led the Browns to three of their five wins last season.

However, it appears that Brown, who has more experience in the pro league, will get the not as Cleveland’s QB1.

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Full preseason schedule for Deshaun Watson’s Browns before 2026 regular season

The Browns will play three games as part of their preseason before their regular season gets underway. Here’s the full preseason schedule for Deshaun Watson’s Browns:

• Preseason Week 1: at Chicago Bears – 1 p.m. ET, Aug. 15
• Preseason Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills – 1 p.m. ET, Aug. 22
• Preseason Week 3: vs. New England Patriots – 8 p.m. ET, Aug. 27

The Browns signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million contract in March 2022. He missed the entire 2025 season due to a re-rupture of his right Achilles tendon.

Watson initially ruptured his right Achilles tendon during Week 7 of the 2024 season. He hasn’t played for the team ever since.

If the Browns have plans to make the playoffs, Watson is expected to play a key role for the franchise.