Deshaun Watson reportedly has inside track for Browns starting job after outplaying Shedeur Sanders in minicamp

The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition is officially underway and a familiar, but somewhat surprising, name has already emerged over his opponent. Veteran Deshaun Watson reportedly has the inside track at the starting job after outplaying second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders during voluntary minicamp, according to the Cleveland.com.

Watson reportedly impressed during Day 1 of minicamp, showing the ability to diagnose plays pre-snap and then make quick decisions. He performed well enough to earn more starting snaps throughout the day, which was unexpected. The Browns reportedly wanted Sanders to get more reps with the first team, but changed course based on Watson’s performance. Though Sanders’ ultimately did get more snaps in 11-on-11 drills, Watson earned more as the day went on.

But that changed on the second day of minicamp, per Cleveland.com, when Watson came out with the starters and took most of the reps.

That development comes after Watson missed the entire 2025 NFL season while recovering from an Achilles injury that he sustained in 2024. With Watson sidelined, the Browns initially turned to veteran Joe Flacco before handing over the reigns to Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

Neither Gabriel nor Sanders showed enough to win the starting job in 2026. Despite getting a start before Sanders last season, Gabriel did not receive first-team reps in minicamp. Sanders, meanwhile, showed some potential, but still finished with a 7-10 touchdown to interception ratio. Despite that, he was selected to take part in the Pro Bowl.

After starring with the Houston Texans early in his career, Watson has not been the same player in Cleveland. In four seasons with the Texans, Watson tossed 104 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in 54 games. He posted a 67.8 percent completion percentage with the franchise.