The quarterback competition has come to an end, as head coach Todd Monken has named his starting quarterback.
Deshaun Watson will be the starting quarterback when the Browns kick off the regular season on the road against the Jaguars on Sept. 13.
"Took in the full body of work over the course of offseason to training camp to the games and the joint practice, and ultimately, felt like to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points," Monken said. "And that's really what it's about. I felt that way going into the last game, but wasn't sure. And after we talked as a staff and after we re-looked at everything, we're going to go in that direction."
Over the course of the offseason program and throughout training camp, the Browns have split the reps with the first team between QB Shedeur Sanders and Watson as they evaluated their quarterbacks. Each quarterback had the chance to start a preseason game and play the first half of the game, as well as play in the third quarter of the game they did not start.
Watson started the first week of the preseason against the Bears and then played in the third quarter against the Bills. Watson played the entirety of the first half against the Bears, completing 11 of 15 passing attempts for 126 yards. He was also strip-sacked on fourth-and-1 during the second quarter, which set up a scoring drive for the Bears.
On their second offensive drive, Watson utilized a number of short passes to move the Browns downfield, ultimately ending the drive with a 50-yard field goal by K Andre Szmyt. Their third offensive drive included a 43-yard completion to RB Dylan Sampson, as Sampson caught a short pass and found space to run. Watson continued to lead the Browns down the field, which eventually set up the jet sweep for rookie WR KC Concepcion, who scored the Browns' lone touchdown of the game.
Then, when the Browns hosted the Bills for the joint practice, Sanders and Watson split the first-team reps as they faced Buffalo's defense. In the practice, Watson had two big completions to Concepcion during 11-on-11 periods. In another 11-on-11 period in the red zone, Watson also connected with TE Blake Whiteheart for a touchdown over the middle of the field.
In the second preseason game against the Bills, Watson started the second half and played the entirety of the third quarter, as well as finished his final offensive drive early in the fourth. Watson completed 5 of 12 passing attempts for 36 yards and one interception.
After missing the final 10 games of the 2024 season and the entirety of the 2025 season as he recovered from Achilles injuries, Watson returns as the starting quarterback for the Browns.
