​It is July, and the summer is winding down. Training camp is about to begin for the Cleveland Browns, and as the team enters year two of its rebuild, the offense will look markedly different from last season. The entire unit has undergone a makeover, from the offensive line to the skill-position groups. The only area that has remained mostly intact is the quarterback room, aside from the addition of Taylen Green.
There’s no overstatement in saying that since the Browns returned, they have yet to discover a long-term solution at quarterback. Deshaun Watson is entering a shaky phase—a last chance to demonstrate that he can still be a franchise quarterback—while Shedeur Sanders must show Cleveland that he’s a worthwhile investment after a lackluster rookie season. During the team’s OTA practices and mandatory minicamp, there have been conflicting reports about the quarterback competition. Some outlets place Watson ahead, others push Sanders, and several indicate the competition is extremely close. In terms of reps, both Watson and Sanders are expected to receive a substantial amount of opportunity to prove themselves once training camp begins, but it’s difficult to determine a clear leader at this point.
Head coach Todd Monken has not tipped his hand about the starter, but the true test will begin with joint practices against the Buffalo Bills. After all, anyone can look sharp in helmets, shorts, and jerseys; the real test comes when pads are on and you’re facing an opposing team in color. The spring performances matter to a degree, but they shouldn’t carry significant weight once camp starts. When it kicks off, both Watson and Sanders will return to ground zero in terms of proving who should start. Under Kevin Stefanski, it would have been unlikely for Sanders and Watson to see extended reps once the preseason began, but with Monken calling the shots, Sanders and Watson will probably see at least a few series in the preseason games.
The most plausible scenario is that quarterbacks will be under close evaluation when the Bills come to Berea for joint practices and again in the upcoming preseason game between the teams. That approach would represent the best-case timeline for deciding the starter at quarterback.
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