​With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, the Cleveland Browns, under the leadership of newly hired head coach Todd Monken, are determined to bounce back after a dismal 2025 campaign. While optimism runs high among a fanbase starved for a turnaround, the quarterback position remains the pivotal question heading into the regular season. The ongoing competition between second-year sensation Shedeur Sanders and veteran Deshaun Watson has drawn opinions from several former players, all weighing in on who should start for the Browns in 2026.
Former NFL running back Phillip Lindsay recently shared his thoughts on the Browns’ quarterback battle with Action Network’s Kyle Odegard, predicting that Sanders will outperform Watson to claim the starting job for the 2026 season. “He will beat out Deshaun Watson. I truly think he can beat out Deshaun Watson,” Lindsay told Odegard. “He’s young. He has very good talent. He’s smart. He just has to go out there and stay consistent.”
Sanders, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, earned a remarkable rise to become the Browns’ starter for the final seven games of his rookie season. The former Colorado standout finished with 1,400 passing yards, 10 interceptions, and seven touchdowns, and his performance hinted at a bright future that could make him a strong contender for the quarterback job this season. His progress has kept him in the conversation as a potential Week One starter, though he must still beat Watson in what promises to be a competitive offseason battle.
Watson’s tenure in Cleveland has been rocky, but the veteran remains a player with considerable experience that could influence the competition as training camp unfolds. Watson’s knowledge of the game and his consistent examples of leadership could position him as a legitimate challenger for the Week One role, should his performance prove to be the better fit for Monken’s system and the Browns’ immediate needs.
Lindsay offered additional insight into what Sanders must demonstrate beyond raw talent. He emphasized the importance of leadership and the ability to elevate his teammates throughout the offseason as crucial factors in earning the starting job. “What can you do in Week Four during camp? Not Week One when everybody is fresh,” Lindsay noted. “The dog days when nobody wants to be out there. Can you be the same version of yourself? If Shedeur can do that, be that leader and elevate people around him, he’ll be just fine.”
With training camp set to begin later this month, Browns fans will soon learn Monken’s choice for the starting quarterback. The choice will shape the direction of the franchise as it seeks to capitalize on a promising offseason led by general manager Andrew Berry, who has worked to rebuild confidence in a fanbase hungry for success. As the competition unfolds, both Sanders and Watson have opportunities to prove themselves, and the eventual decision will have a significant impact on Cleveland’s hopes for a 2026 season that fans hope will mark the start of a new era.