Is Shedeur Sanders the QB1 Frontrunner in Cleveland Despite Deshaun Watson’s Presence?

Tim Hasselbeck believes that the Browns should avoid starting Deshaun Watson because he has not played football for more than a year.

Is Shedeur Sanders the QB1 Frontrunner in Cleveland Despite Deshaun Watson’s Presence?

Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Tim Hasselbeck inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/ESPN)

In Short
  • Shedeur Sanders is competing with Deshaun Watson for the Browns' starting quarterback position.
  • Deshaun Watson's past injuries and off-field issues may hinder his chances of starting.
  • The Browns hold nine picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including two first-round selections, and are linked to QB Ty Simpson.

The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation may not be as crowded as last season, but there are still several players vying for the starting job. For a while, Shedeur Sanders appeared as the favorite to bag the QB1 job until Deshaun Watson re-emerged from the shadows.

Watson spent the 2025 season on the IR after undergoing surgery to fix his torn ACL. He returned to the Browns’ dugout near the end of the campaign, wearing the cape of a mentor for Shedeur.

With Watson back in the mix, he has a powerful shot at starting for the Browns in week one, but Tim Hasselbeck disagrees. During a recent appearance on NFL Live, the retired quarterback pointed out that Watson has missed too many games while recovering from his Achilles injury and also carries some off-field baggage.

I think what they’re [the Browns] gonna do is, I really don’t think [Deshaun] Watson has a shot. He’s been away from the game for so long. He has had two Achilles injuries. I think his credibility in the locker room has been compromised because of his past. I do think there’s too many things with it. And so, I think Shedeur Sanders finds himself in a remarkable position.

Hasselbeck said

Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders to compete for the Browns quarterback job

Sanders navigated through rough waters during his first year in the league. After dropping to the fifth round despite being touted as a top 10 pick, the University of Colorado graduate landed in a congested QB room that consisted of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and an injured Watson.

Is Shedeur Sanders the QB1 Frontrunner in Cleveland Despite Deshaun Watson's Presence
Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

Flacco’s veteran card and the experience of playing Kevin Stefanski‘s system made him the de facto starter. However, Flacco’s reign lasted just four games before Stefanski replaced him with Gabriel instead of Sanders.

Gabriel’s struggles frustrated the home crowd and pushed Stefanski to make the call to start Sanders. Sanders contributed 1400 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 picks, finishing his rookie year with a 3-4 record. Sanders statistically had his best game against the Titans and the first overall pick, Cam Ward. He threw for 364 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception, but failed to save the Browns from suffering a 31-29 defeat.

Given the poor results, Hasselbeck argued back in February that Sanders did not strike him as a long-time starter in the league.

There isn’t a single team of the 32 that would look at him [Shedeur] right now and be like, ‘Yup, I want to build around that guy. I’m not saying that to be demeaning or mean, it’s just the reality of who he actually is as a player and how he is viewed … around the league.

Hasselbeck said via The New York Post. (H/T: Yahoo)

The Browns are in the hunt for a new quarterback. They hold a total of nine picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including two in the first round. TY Simpson is heavily linked with Cleveland based club after general manager Andrew Berry said he plans to spend time with the Alabama graduate.

I have spent time with Ty [Simpson]. I think that’s obvious, and we’ll continue to do so. But I think he has a bright NFL future.

Berry told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com at the annual owners meeting

The Browns are expected to face stiff competition from the New York Jets and, surprisingly, the Pittsburgh Steelers. After the Jets recently signed Geno Smith, they have two veterans, including Tyrod Taylor and second-year player Brady Cook. Pittsburgh is currently awaiting a response from Aaron Rodgers, while Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are preparing as backup options. Of the two teams, the Jets appear to be the most likely to compete with the Browns for Simpson.

Also Read: