The Cleveland Browns have ended one of the most closely watched quarterback competitions of the 2026 NFL preseason, with veteran Deshaun Watson set to begin the season as their QB1 ahead of second-year passer Shedeur Sanders.

The decision is significant because Watson enters the campaign carrying major questions about his form, fitness and future, while Sanders appeared to build momentum during the preseason and has attracted plenty of attention as Cleveland considers the next phase of its quarterback room. Nevertheless, the Browns have chosen experience, contractual reality and familiarity with the offence over the promise of their younger quarterback.

For a team hoping to find stability at the most important position on the field, the decision brings an end to the NFL’s most contentious QB1 battle, although the debate surrounding the Browns’ quarterback position is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

Deshaun Watson gets the Browns’ QB1 job

According to multiple reports, Deshaun Watson will open the regular season as Cleveland’s starting quarterback when the Browns travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.

The decision comes despite a difficult second preseason outing for Deshaun Watson, who struggled against Buffalo and completed five passes for only 36 yards while throwing an interception. Sanders, by comparison, completed nine of 11 passes for 74 yards, adding a touchdown and an interception in a performance that strengthened the argument for giving the younger quarterback the starting role.

Yet the Browns ultimately decided that Deshaun Watson remained the safer option to begin the season, particularly because he has significantly more NFL experience and has already been entrusted with leading the franchise through difficult periods.

Watson has not played a regular-season game since 2024, when he suffered a serious Achilles injury that ended his season and kept him out throughout 2025, but Cleveland appears convinced that his experience still gives him an advantage over Sanders.

Why Deshaun Watson beat Shedeur Sanders

The preseason numbers alone might have suggested that Sanders was closing the gap, but the Browns’ decision was never likely to depend exclusively on a handful of exhibition performances.

In the first preseason game, Deshaun Watson was given the starting role and completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards, while Sanders managed 79 passing yards and threw an interception. That performance gave Watson an early advantage before the competition shifted in Sanders’ direction during the following week.

Sanders’ improved display against Buffalo was encouraging, but the Browns evidently believe that Watson’s experience, knowledge of the system and ability to operate as an established NFL starter outweigh the promise shown by the former fifth-round pick.

There is also an important financial element surrounding Deshaun Watson, whose fully guaranteed five-year, $230m contract remains one of the most unusual quarterback deals in NFL history. His contract carries a cap hit of almost $41m in 2026, meaning Cleveland has little incentive to make a dramatic decision about his future before seeing what he can produce on the field.

That does not guarantee Watson a long-term role, but it does explain why the Browns are prepared to give their veteran quarterback another opportunity before handing the offence to Sanders.

Browns QB depth chart puts Sanders in reserve

The Browns’ quarterback depth chart currently places Deshaun Watson first, followed by Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green.

That arrangement could change during the season, particularly if Watson struggles after returning from his extended absence. Sanders now occupies the most interesting position on the depth chart because he is close enough to the starting role to become an immediate option if the veteran fails to deliver.

The Browns therefore have a potentially intriguing situation developing behind their starter, as Sanders will begin the campaign as the backup while waiting for another opportunity to prove that he can handle the responsibilities of an NFL QB1.

Gabriel, meanwhile, faces a less certain future despite being selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, with Cleveland potentially deciding to carry only three quarterbacks. Green is viewed more as a developmental project who can learn behind the veterans while gradually adapting to the demands of professional football.

The NFL’s most contentious QB1 battle is not really over

Although Deshaun Watson has won the starting job, the Browns’ quarterback debate is unlikely to end with the announcement.

Watson’s return represents one of the biggest questions surrounding Cleveland’s season because his last regular-season campaign ended with a 1-6 record as the Browns’ starter before the Achilles injury changed the trajectory of his career. His performance this summer has also been inconsistent, meaning the pressure on him will be considerable from the moment the regular season begins.

Sanders, meanwhile, has already demonstrated that he can provide an alternative, particularly after his composed showing against Buffalo. If Watson struggles through the opening weeks, Cleveland will not have to search far for a potential replacement because Sanders will already be waiting behind him.

That makes the NFL’s most contentious QB1 battle a competition that could simply have moved into its next stage rather than ended completely.

Deshaun Watson carries enormous pressure into 2026

For Deshaun Watson, the coming season represents an opportunity to restore his reputation and potentially reshape his future in Cleveland before his contract expires.

The veteran quarterback will enter the season knowing that expectations are high despite the Browns’ status as significant outsiders in the Super Bowl race. His contract, injury history and lengthy absence from regular-season football mean every performance is likely to receive intense scrutiny.

For Sanders, the challenge is different because he must remain prepared without allowing the disappointment of losing the starting competition to derail his development. If Watson performs well, Sanders can learn from an experienced quarterback; if Watson struggles, the younger passer could quickly find himself at the centre of Cleveland’s plans.

For now, however, the Browns have made their choice. Deshaun Watson will start, Sanders will wait, and one of the most debated quarterback competitions of the offseason has produced a decision that could have major consequences for Cleveland’s season.