The Cleveland Browns held what was viewed as a wide-open quarterback competition during the 2026 NFL offseason.
Ultimately, Deshaun Watson beat out Shedeur Sanders despite first-year Browns coach Todd Monken opining that Sanders had “closed the gap” during the competition.
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“We felt over the course of training camp and the offseason that (Watson) was ahead of Shedeur,” Monken explained at the time. “Shedeur’s closed that gap, for sure. And that’s a credit to him. We look forward to Shedeur continuing to grow as a player, but ultimately, we’re about Week 1. Putting our best foot forward over the next three weeks.”
Naturally, Monken’s praise of Sanders created another question. When exactly would the Colorado product get a chance to start if things don’t go well under Watson’s leadership?
Here’s what to know about Cleveland’s timeline for playing Sanders during the 2026 NFL season.
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Coached by his father Deion Sanders at Colorado, Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut in 2025 and now enters year two as the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback. Scroll to see his journey from college to the pros.
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Dec. 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Coached by his father Deion Sanders at Colorado, Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut in 2025 and now enters year two as the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback. Scroll to see his journey from college to the pros.
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Dec. 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Former football player Deion Sanders smiles with his children Shedeur Sanders (left) and Shelomi Sanders (right) as they attend On Location Experiences’ 51 Days To Super Bowl LI Celebration at STK Rooftop on Dec. 14, 2016 in New York City.
(Bryan Bedder, Getty Images for On Location Experiences)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Jackson State Tigers rushes away the South Carolina State Bulldogs during the first half of the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 18, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #2 and head coach Deion Sanders of the Jackson State Tigers pose for photos after the game against the Southern University Jaguars in the SWAC Championship at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on Dec. 3, 2022 in Jackson, Mississippi.
(Justin Ford, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Jackson State Tigers warms up during pregame prior to the Cricket Celebration Bowl against the North Carolina Central Eagles at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes throws downfield against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Sept. 2, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes and his father and head coach Deion Sanders share a hug just before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Sept. 2, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas. Colorado won 45-42.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes and his father and head coach Deion Sanders walk the sidelines just before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Sept. 2, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas. Colorado won 45-42.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes celebrates with son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders #2, after a fourth quarter touchdown against the Colorado State Rams at Folsom Field on Sept. 16, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado.
(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
(L-R) Shedeur Sanders, Deion Sanders, Shilo Sanders and Deion Sanders Jr. attend the 13th annual NFL Honors at Resorts World Theatre on Feb. 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes drops back to throw a pass in the second quarter against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Sept. 28, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.
(Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes greets fans after a win in a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Folsom Field on Oct. 26, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado.
(Dustin Bradford, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #QB13 of Colorado speaks to the media during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Justin Casterline, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns answers questions from the media during a press conference prior to rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2025 in Berea, Ohio.
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland Browns mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025 in Berea, Ohio.
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill after Cleveland Browns mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025 in Berea, Ohio.
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns walks out the tunnel prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Aug. 8, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after a first down during the first half of an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Aug. 8, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns drops to pass in the first half during the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Aug. 8, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns takes a moment before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #12 celebrates after a touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr. #44 of the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 7, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
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Shedeur Sanders’ journey from college football to Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during Cleveland Browns Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2026 in Berea, Ohio.
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
The Browns haven’t yet provided a clue about when Sanders might start. When announcing Watson as the starter, Monken said he didn’t expect Cleveland’s quarterback situation to change on a week-to-week basis.
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“Ultimately we expect him to play well or we wouldn’t be starting him,” Monken said, referencing Watson.
That said, there has been plenty of speculation about Sanders being given a chance to start as early as Week 3, when the Browns make their 2026 home debut.
Watson has endured a rocky relationship with Browns fans across his time in Cleveland. He has routinely been booed for his poor performance across his tenure, including during his rough outing at Huntington Bank Field in preseason Week 2.
Watson jabbed at the fans for their reaction to him during that game, referring to the boos as “personal” and “disrespectful.”
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“I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson told reporters. “It’s a little bit more personal than that. So, I think it’s a disrespectful thing. I’m gonna keep whatever I feel with me and my family, internally, on how I feel about that and just move on.”
Watson later apologized for his reaction to the fans after being named the team’s No. 1 quarterback.
Nonetheless, the incident has only further fueled speculation that the Browns could install Sanders as the starter for the home opener if Watson doesn’t perform well during Cleveland’s season-opening road games.
Why isn’t Shedeur Sanders starting?
As mentioned, Sanders isn’t starting because the Browns named Watson their starting quarterback to open the 2026 NFL season.
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Watson and Sanders were engaged in a tight quarterback battle throughout the offseason, and each got a chance to start one preseason game. Watson looked the better of the two quarterbacks in preseason Week 1, his start, while Sanders vastly outperformed Watson in Cleveland’s second preseason game.
Many believed Sanders would get the nod after his strong performance against the Buffalo Bills. Instead, Monken backed Watson, noting he had remained slightly ahead of Sanders throughout the competition.
Watson finished the 2026 preseason completing 16 of 27 passes (59.3%) for 162 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. By comparison, Sanders completed 15 of 22 passes (68.2%) for 153 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Watson started Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season for the Browns. Things didn’t go well, as Cleveland’s offense largely struggled to move the ball in a 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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Watson’s overall numbers don’t look too bad. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception while scrambling for 38 yards on six carries.
However, much of Watson’s production came in garbage time, as Cleveland’s lone touchdown came when the team was already down 34-3. He was also sacked five times and fumbled once across his outing.
Watson will look to post a better performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. If he can’t, he could soon find Sanders breathing down his neck in what figures to be a season-long quarterback battle.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will Shedeur Sanders start? Why Browns QB is backing up Deshaun Watson
