10
Loading video...
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Shedeur Sanders may not have taken the first-team reps on Day 1 of Cleveland Browns training camp on Wednesday, but he still gave head coach Todd Monken something to think about.
Sanders completed 16 of 19 passes during the opening practice, while veteran Deshaun Watson finished 12 of 22 with two interceptions.
Watson received the first-team reps, so it's far too early to predict who will be named the starter come Week 1. But if Sanders continues producing at this level, the Browns will have an increasingly difficult decision to make.
Read More on NFL
The quarterback competition in Cleveland was already one of the NFL's biggest storylines heading into camp, and things are only going to heat up over the coming weeks.
More news: Saints GM Issues Pointed Warning in Chris Olave Contract Talks
Watson is getting another opportunity in 2026 to revive his career after a turbulent few years, including two torn Achilles tendons, while Sanders is trying to prove he can become a legitimate franchise quarterback at the NFL level.
Watson has the experience and a hefty financial commitment, with the organization signing him to a five-year, $230 million deal in 2022 that was fully guaranteed. But with this being the final year of his massive contract, it's now or never for Watson to prove he's still got it.
Sanders, meanwhile, is entering his second NFL season with a real chance to win the job. He played eight games last year and finished with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while rushing for another 169 yards and completing 56.6% of his passes.
Those are underwhelming stats on the surface, but not terrible for a rookie who had been under the microscope from the jump.
More news: Lamar Jackson Receives Massive Praise From Ravens Coach at Training Camp
...
More news: Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Motivated Heading Into 2026 After Trade Debacle
Monken made it clear earlier in the day that the competition remains wide open and that he wasn't going to simply hand the job to either player. "Their play decides who the starter is," Monken told reporters.
The two quarterbacks are reportedly going to split first-team reps as camp progresses. So the numbers from the very first practice shouldn't be overanalyzed.
Watson was working with the first-team offense, meaning the pressure is now back on Sanders to maintain that efficiency when he gets his opportunity with the starters.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines