Sanders enters 2026 as Watson’s backup
The Browns are heading into the 2026 season with Deshaun Watson as their Week 1 starter and Shedeur Sanders as his backup. Cleveland made that decision after evaluating both quarterbacks throughout the offseason, training camp, preseason and joint practices.
Sanders remains close to the starting job if circumstances change, but the Browns have not announced a plan to replace Watson during the season. Head coach Todd Monken said the Week 1 decision was not intended to become a week-to-week evaluation.
Sanders enters the season as Watson’s backup
Cleveland’s current unofficial depth chart lists Watson first, Sanders second and Taylen Green third at quarterback. The Browns also have Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve, leaving three active quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster.
That ranking gives Sanders a defined role heading into Week 1. If Watson cannot play or Cleveland later makes a quarterback change, Sanders is currently positioned to receive consideration for the starting job.
Watson won the offseason competition
Watson and Sanders received significant first-team work during Cleveland’s offseason program and training camp. The Browns used changing practice repetitions to evaluate their quarterbacks before Monken ultimately selected Watson to open the regular season.
Monken said the decision was based on the full body of work and concluded Watson gave Cleveland the best chance to move the ball and score against Jacksonville. He also indicated the starting decision was not expected to change from week to week.
Sanders showed progress during the offseason
Sanders received first-team repetitions during Cleveland’s mandatory minicamp while competing directly with Watson. During one practice, he connected with Denzel Boston and Isaiah Bond on deep touchdown passes during 11-on-11 work.
The Browns also used Sanders with the second team during another minicamp session before splitting first-team repetitions between him and Watson on the final day. Those changes were part of the coaching staff’s evaluation process.
His preseason numbers provide useful context
Sanders appeared in Cleveland’s first two preseason games, completing 15 of 22 passes for 153 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
Against Buffalo, Sanders completed 9 of 11 attempts for 74 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. His preseason performances gave Cleveland additional game action to evaluate him before the team finalized its regular-season quarterback order.
Cleveland has kept developing Sanders
The Browns selected Sanders with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Cleveland’s current roster information lists him among the team’s three active quarterbacks entering the 2026 season.
His role has changed as the Browns evaluated their quarterback group. After working through the competition with Watson and other quarterbacks, Sanders now enters the regular season directly behind the veteran starter on Cleveland’s current unofficial depth chart.
Watson’s availability remains important
Watson is returning to the starting lineup after missing the 2025 season because of an Achilles injury. He previously suffered the injury during Cleveland’s October 2024 game against Cincinnati and underwent two surgeries during his recovery.
The Browns have nevertheless named him their Week 1 starter for 2026. His ability to remain available and perform during the season will directly affect how much opportunity Sanders receives at quarterback.
Sanders now has a clearer path to playing time
Because Sanders is listed second behind Watson, he has a more direct path to regular-season snaps than players lower on the quarterback depth chart. Cleveland’s initial roster identifies Watson, Sanders and Green as its three active quarterbacks.
A starting opportunity would still depend on circumstances during the season. The Browns have not announced a midseason plan to replace Watson, so any future change would depend on performance, availability, and coaching decisions.
Interesting fact: Across 50 college games at Jackson State and Colorado, Sanders completed 70.1% of his passes for 14,353 yards and 134 touchdowns, with only 27 interceptions.
Cleveland’s quarterback evaluation continues
The Browns entered the offseason determined to evaluate their quarterback position before the 2026 season. Monken said the coaching staff would use practice repetitions and other opportunities to assess the quarterbacks throughout the offseason and training camp.
That evaluation produced Watson as the Week 1 starter and Sanders as the backup. Cleveland’s quarterback decisions during the season will provide additional information about how the organization views its options beyond the opening game.
Interesting fact: Cleveland originally held the 166th and 192nd picks in the 2025 draft but traded both to Seattle to move up to No. 144.
The Browns have major quarterback decisions ahead
Cleveland holds two first-round selections in the 2027 NFL Draft, giving the organization significant draft resources for future roster decisions. The team’s quarterback evaluation during 2026 can provide information before those selections are used.
Sanders, Watson and the injured Gabriel are therefore part of a larger quarterback picture for Cleveland. How the active quarterbacks perform and develop during the season will give the Browns more information for future roster planning.
Sanders will work behind an experienced veteran
Watson enters his fifth season with Cleveland after joining the organization in a 2022 trade with Houston. Before his time with the Browns, he earned three Pro Bowl selections and led the NFL in passing in 2020.
For Sanders, the arrangement places him behind a quarterback with extensive NFL experience. At the same time, Sanders remains only one injury or coaching decision away from potentially receiving regular-season opportunities at the position.
Week 1 will establish the initial quarterback order
Cleveland will open its 2026 season on the road against Jacksonville on September 13. Watson is scheduled to start, with Sanders listed as his backup and Taylen Green behind Sanders on the unofficial depth chart.
The opening game will therefore begin the regular-season evaluation under the current arrangement. Any later change at quarterback would be determined by developments during the season rather than an announced midseason promotion plan.
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Sanders’ next step depends on the season
Sanders enters 2026 with a defined role as Cleveland’s No. 2 quarterback behind Watson. His offseason work, preseason appearances and current depth-chart position give him a clear place within the Browns’ quarterback plans entering the regular season.
A midseason promotion to starter remains a possibility rather than an announced outcome. For that to happen, Cleveland would have to make a future decision based on circumstances that have not yet occurred.
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What do you think of the Browns’ quarterback plan heading into 2026? Like this slideshow and comment with your take!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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