Browns' Shedeur Sanders receives brutal QB projection thanks to Deshaun Watson

The Cleveland Browns are one of many teams coming into OTAs and the 2026 season without a clear answer at the quarterback position.

Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, and Jaylen Green are all vying for the starting job this season. But Gabriel and Green are most likely not to come close to earning the starting job.

The Sanders vs. Watson QB competition this offseason is an interesting one. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report projected which of these two QBs would win the position battle, and unfortunately, Colorado fans, Sanders got a brutal projection.

Browns projected to bench Shedeur Sanders in favor of Deshuan Watson

"But Monken had no part in any of that mess; his job is to win games in 2026," Davenport writes. "And if Watson is healthy, he gives the Browns the best chance to do that. It's been a while, but Watson has shown that he can be a capable NFL starter. Sanders gave no such indication as a rookie. Projected winner: Watson."

This projection for the Browns quarterback battle this summer would be a brutal outcome for Sanders. It's obvious that losing the starting QB job would be bad, but in this case, it would be especially terrible for Sanders.

As a second-year player, with the chance to potentially finally lead the team with significant first-team reps leading up to the regular season, this starting job would be huge for Sanders, not just in 2026, but for his future development.

But if Watson, the expensive veteran, wins the QB battle, then Sanders will be back on the bench and likely have his development stagnated in his second season.

MORE: Taylen Green has a much higher ceiling for Browns than Shedeur Sanders

Todd Monken might be trying to win, but it's important to also see what the young players who could be a part of the future can do.

Watson is not a long-term option for the Browns, whereas Sanders might be the solution at the most important position on the roster.

Even if it's not likely, it's something worth giving a try. Sanders did show a bit of potential in his rookie season, and with proper coaching and a better skill group, it wouldn't be too big of a shocker if Sanders were a decent QB in 2026.

If this projection came true, the Browns would be stunting the development of a young QB, and also starting someone who most of the fan base likely doesn't want to see on the Browns anymore.

Davenport's projection might be the worst-case scenario for the Browns QB battle from both a long-term and short-term point of view. But it's a very real possibility, even if it's an unpopular decision.

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