Why Browns extending QB competition is a good omen for Shedeur Sanders

This offseason, the Cleveland Browns are holding a quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders for the chance to be the starting QB in 2026.

After the mandatory minicamp, the Browns have yet to make a decision, despite Todd Monken initially wanting to have a QB1 by the start of training camp.

But this extended QB competition is actually a good omen for Sanders, not Watson. ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi revealed why, as Sanders seems to be trending in the right direction to win the starting QB job in 2026.

Shedeur Sanders forced Browns to extend QB competition

"While new Browns coach Todd Monken ultimately decided not to name a starter after mandatory minicamp last week and extended Cleveland's quarterback competition into training camp, it's in part because of Sanders' improvements in two key areas: footwork and processing," Oyefusi writes.

The Browns are extending their QB1 competition not because of Watson, but rather due to the progress that Sanders has shown this summer through minicamp.

With Sanders improving his processing and his footwork, two of the areas he's struggled with in his football career, the Browns are letting him get an extended look at the starting QB job.

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This is a great sign for Sanders. Not only is improvement good to see, but in this situation, the Browns seeing Sanders' progress has made the QB battle extend a while longer.

Monken wouldn't extend this QB competition if Sanders didn't at least have a chance to win the QB1 job this offseason. This extension, thanks to his progress as a processor and with his footwork, is a good omen for Sanders.

He still needs to prove he deserves the starting job, but he's now more than opened the door for the chance to win this job over Watson by showing improvements this offseason.

The Browns' starting quarterback hasn't been decided yet, and that's good for Sanders, not Watson, as if the 2025 fifth-round pick hadn't shown improvement, this QB battle would've been decided in Watson's favor by now.

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