The Cleveland Browns have reportedly named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback. The veteran is the winner of the quarterback competition with Shedeur Sanders despite coming off an awful preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.
When Watson starts in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13, it will be his first regular-season game in almost two years. He last played on Oct. 20, 2024, when he tore his Achilles tendon against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com broke the news.
“Browns have named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders, league sources say,” Cabot posted.
#Browns have named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders, league sources say: https://t.co/Rl4wviokX6
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 24, 2026
Watson sat out all of last season after reinjuring the Achilles during his recovery. He returned to the field during minicamp in April and almost immediately took the lead in the competition over Sanders, who started the final seven games of last season as a rookie.
Watson continued to build on his advantage throughout the spring workouts until Sanders closed the gap in the final minicamp. That left the competition open until training camp, with head coach Todd Monken willing to put off the decision.
During camp, Watson struggled with interceptions, giving Sanders a chance to make up even more ground. But once Watson was given back-to-back practice days with the first team earlier this month, it looked like he was going to be the starter.
After neither QB was particularly impressive in the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, Sanders played particularly well against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. Watson, who entered the game in the third quarter, was greeted by boos from the home fans at Huntington Bank Field and then played poorly, which led some to speculate that Sanders was given the job.
Instead, it is Watson who has earned the nod. About to turn 31 years old next month, it is likely his last chance to restore his reputation and prove he is a viable NFL quarterback.
Now that this situation has been settled, at least for now, the Browns can get busy making sure Watson has the best chance to succeed.
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