Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition has already been the talk of the town this offseason, with Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel fighting for the starting role in 2026.
While Sanders and Gabriel split the starting role last year, Watson missed the whole season because of his injury. However, the veteran quarterback is healthy now and will be eyeing the starting position.
Todd Monken recently shared that he wants to determine the QB1 by June, and as the Browns wrap up their voluntary mini camp, Mary Kay Cabot shared that Watson was registered to have an edge over Sanders.
Talking about which quarterback should get the starting role in 2026, Stephen A. Smith shared his thoughts, saying:
“It’d be one thing if you had some nasty injury or whatever and that’s what it was but before he got injured He wasn’t looking great. To see the precipitous flagrant drop-off that has taken place in his career. It’s been incredibly incredibly alarming Having said that, I don’t have any problem with him having the inside track because of that money. It was $230 million guaranteed, $230 million guaranteed, then the extra $28 million. You’re paying him all of that money, damn it. Every executive that I’ve ever known wants to try to make their investment look good. They don’t want to look lost.“
“I think it’s best for the organization and the city to give Deshaun Watson every last chance imaginable to justify that bag that he got,” he added.
Emmanuel Acho Makes Thoughts Clear on Browns’ Starting QB Competition Between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders
Emmanuel Acho reacted to Mary Kay Cabot’s advice to Todd Monken in naming Deshaun Watson the starting QB and said he agrees to it.
The NFL analyst believes the Browns making Watson the QB1 is what should happen because of the amount of money he’s owed by the franchise.
Acho also highlighted how the Browns shouldn’t be pressured to give Shedeur Sanders any more reps than required just to make his fans happy.
“You’re taking away reps from Deshaun Watson for what? So that you don’t get difficult questions at the podium. So that Cleveland Browns fans don’t tweet mean things at you.” Acho said.
He added that given that Sanders was a fifth-round pick and that he had a good, not great season in 2026, Watson being given the starting QB role is what should happen.
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