Cleveland Browns fans have long thought the preseason would be when head coach Todd Monken finally decides who will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2026. So far, he hasn’t made a final choice, but a certain narrative is being built.
While speaking on ESPN Cleveland, Jeremy Fowler agreed that the “sentiment” of Deshaun Watson as QB1 in the new season is the most agreed-upon path forward for the Browns.
That doesn’t mean that Shedeur Sanders won’t get time as a starter, but Watson could be in the lead.
“I would say [Deshaun Watson leading the Browns’ QB battle is] the sentiment, yes. From the outside, the sentiment is that, Deshaun Watson, if you can get even 80% of what he was, which, back in the day, was a top-five quarterback, then you still have a good athlete, decent arm strength. Maybe you have some traits at the quarterback position that can carry you early in the season. You can always go to Shedeur Sanders as well. This is a long year. Most seasons, Browns fans see two quarterbacks. That’s sort of a rite of passage,” Fowler said.
"I would say that's the sentiment, yes," – @JFowlerESPN on the the narrative that Deshaun Watson has the lead in the Browns QB battle. pic.twitter.com/HsaQtpAeGE
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 19, 2026
It’s crucial to note that Fowler said this is the sentiment “from the outside.” No one really knows what Monken is thinking and planning, and there is still the possibility of him selecting Sanders as Cleveland’s lead offensive star.
With that being said, it sounds like Watson is doing enough to claim the coveted position. He is healthy again and has been performing well on the field, though not without a few problems. He hasn’t been perfect, but he’s done enough to show he’s ready to take on more responsibility.
If he really does get the job, it puts the Browns in an awkward position. Watson is about to enter the final year of his contract, and it seems unlikely that the Browns will give him an extension after that. The team might have just one season with him, so they need to plan for after that.
Sanders seems like the reasonable choice to replace Watson after his final season, but that means another year of him waiting for the chance to formally take over the team. He won’t be the only one waiting, because fans have wanted long-term stability and clarity at quarterback.
Most signs point to Watson claiming the starting quarterback position for 2026, but that doesn’t answer all the questions swirling around the Browns.
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