# Will Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders be the Browns' starting QB?

# Browns QB Battle: Still Undecided

As of mid-June 2026, **neither Deshaun Watson nor Shedeur Sanders has been named the starter** — and head coach Todd Monken is deliberately keeping it open.

Here's where things stand (from the **Cleveland Browns** page and both player pages):

- **Monken will not decide until training camp or preseason.** He said on the final day of minicamp (June 10): *"I'm not going to name a No. 1."* Both quarterbacks rotated first-team reps evenly across the three-day minicamp, and Monken emphasized he needs to see full pads and live scrimmages before deciding.
- **Watson's side:** He confirmed he's fully healthy for the first time since his 2023 shoulder injury (nearly 1,000 days). He was viewed as having a slight early edge at late May OTAs, especially on downfield throws. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler sees Watson as having the inside track.
- **Sanders' side:** He's been turning heads. NFL insider Cameron Wolfe reported Sanders' "aura" has impressed the coaching staff, and ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi observed him trending upward by mid-June with improved footwork and processing. His 2025 rookie stats (1,400 yards, 7 TDs, 10 INTs in 7 starts) were modest, but his development arc has Monken paying attention.

**The bottom line:** This is a genuine, deadlocked competition that will stretch into training camp. Until then, the entire Browns offense is a volatile fantasy projection. Watson probably starts on experience if you had to bet today, but Sanders has made it a real fight.

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Answered 2026-06-15 by ChatFFB — fantasy football answers from a live news wiki.
Source: https://chatffb.com/ask/will-deshaun-watson-or-shedeur-sanders-be-the-browns-starting-qb