Cleveland Browns Set Watson vs. Sanders QB Battle for Upcoming Season

Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry announced that Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will compete for the starting quarterback position next season. Watson is returning from Achilles surgery while the team looks to develop young talent under new head coach Todd Monken.

Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry may have saved his position after successful draft picks in 2025, following owner Jimmy Haslam’s decision to dismiss head coach Kevin Stefanski this past January.

Berry expressed his desire to continue building with younger players but emphasized that free agency moves would likely be more selective this year.

“Realistically we may be one more offseason away from being hyper-aggressive in that window,” Berry stated during Tuesday’s NFL Scouting Combine.

While uncertainty surrounds the quarterback position, Berry confirmed that both Deshaun Watson—who sat out the previous season due to dual Achilles surgeries—and Shedeur Sanders will compete for the starting role.

“We don’t have to make that decision anytime soon,” Berry noted.

Cleveland holds two first-round draft selections at sixth and 24th overall, with several roster gaps to address. Berry highlighted priorities including strengthening the offensive line and acquiring offensive weapons. He mentioned that veteran lineman Joel Bitonio is “still working through” his retirement decision.

“A year ago at this time, I wouldn’t have guessed the draft would have played out the way it did,” Berry explained. “You have to be flexible and adaptable. You have to be open to the fact that it may not look exactly like you’d hoped coming out of it.”

Berry indicated that first-year head coach Todd Monken will determine the quarterback rotation. Regarding Sanders specifically, Berry outlined organizational expectations for improvement in physical conditioning and reducing risky passes that result in turnovers.

“I think the biggest thing that we want to see from Shedeur is just continued growth. He grew a lot from start one to start seven,” Berry said. “Certainly playing more efficiently, not putting the ball in harm’s way as much would be important while maintaining the ability to produce out of structure and generate explosive plays.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Berry received recognition as the Buddy Teevens Forward Progress Award recipient, having employed more women in football operations than any other person or organization in NFL history.