Watson Makes a Statement — But Is It Enough?
Good morning, Dawg Pound. While most of the NFL is at the beach, Deshaun Watson is back at work in Berea — and that tells you everything about where this quarterback competition stands heading into July.
Watson may be trying to impress first-year head coach Todd Monken ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend. He returned to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus this week to train with his private physical therapist, Billy Voltaire, and throw with his personal quarterbacks coach, Quincy Avery. Watson will also host some of his offensive teammates for a passing camp in South Florida in mid-July, and notably, Shedeur Sanders said during minicamp that he would join in on that session instead of hosting his own.
That last detail matters. These two aren’t just competing — they’re coexisting, at least for now. And the fact that Sanders is willing to go work with Watson’s throwing group in Miami rather than splinter the room tells you something about the culture Todd Monken is building.
The Spring Narrative Flipped — And Everyone Noticed
Let’s rewind for a second. Watson entered June as the alleged favorite to defeat Shedeur Sanders in the competition for the starting job. However, Sanders seemingly closed the gap by the time mandatory minicamp wrapped up on June 11.
Browns quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian didn’t hold back when discussing Sanders’ development. “I’m blown away,” said Bajakian. “He’ll say things in practice sometimes, and I’ll be like, ‘What did you get there?’… His vision with his work ethic has been good to see.”
On the second day of mandatory minicamp, Sanders went through 11-on-11 periods with the second team and connected with tight ends Brenden Bates and Blake Whiteheart. He had spent the first day of minicamp practicing with the first team, where he found WR Denzel Boston and WR Isaiah Bond on deep passes for touchdowns.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler offered this assessment: “Shedeur Sanders has made enough strides to where he’s closed the gap at least somewhat. It’s going to be interesting starting camp, and they are nowhere near naming a starter yet. They want to see not only training camp action, but some preseason game action.”
But Watson Still Has the Inside Track
Don’t count out the vet. According to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, Sanders is not yet level with Watson. “SportsBoom continues to hear that veteran Deshaun Watson is very much the favorite to end up starting in Week 1, regardless of all the speculation about other quarterbacks on the roster.”
Both Watson and Sanders had their moments during OTAs and minicamp. Watson looks healthy from not only his Achilles tear but a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery in November 2023. He appeared more willing to push the ball downfield than the last time he played competitive football. Sanders looked more poised in Monken’s offense as time went on, and coaches lauded improvements in his footwork and processing.
Head coach Monken said the competition is neck-and-neck and could progress through training camp in July and into the first two preseason games in August.
The Sanders Trade Rumors? Dead on Arrival
For the rumor mill addicts: you can stop. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network threw cold water on trade speculation during an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show.” “Anything out there that they are looking to trade him, I would put zero stock in that,” Pelissero said. “If I had to make an educated guess, I’d say he and Deshaun Watson both are on the team in September.”
One general manager told La Canfora that “Monken likes” Sanders and has no reason to trade the second-year pro. Meanwhile, one NFL personnel executive said he doesn’t think Sanders is “going anywhere” anytime soon.
Rookie Receivers Are Going to Be a Problem (the Good Kind)
Whoever wins the QB job is inheriting a retooled weapons cache. The Browns drafted wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, who made strong impressions this spring. Concepcion’s quickness and ability to make plays at all levels stand out. Boston seemed to come down with a contested catch downfield every week while also showing an ability to run good routes with a bigger frame.
Second-year receiver Isaiah Bond was a standout too, after not having an offseason to prepare for his rookie season. Bond said he added 15 pounds of muscle to get stronger and work the middle of the field. Along with Boston, Bond was the most targeted wide receiver during OTAs and minicamp.
Concepcion weighed in on the QB battle himself: “Both of those guys are amazing people, amazing teammates, amazing quarterbacks. Everybody is fighting for a spot on the roster.”
Training Camp Countdown: Key Dates
- July 23: Rookies report to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
- July 28: Full team reports
- July 31: First open training camp practice for fans
- Aug. 12: Final open practice session
- Aug. 15: Preseason opener at Chicago Bears
- Aug. 22: Preseason home game vs. Buffalo Bills
The Bigger Picture
Here’s the part nobody in the national media wants to talk about: the Browns made a coaching change with Todd Monken, completely rebuilt the offensive line with new players, added another exciting draft class, and traded away Myles Garrett for a package that included Jared Verse. The blockbuster trade sent shock waves throughout the NFL, but Jared Verse quickly got up to speed, and there’s excitement about his fit in the attacking front.
On the field, Monken showed a lot in his offensive playbook — motions, spread concepts, designed quarterback runs, and a power run game with a fullback. The offensive ingenuity is what captivated the Browns during the coaching search, but it’s also his old-school style and attention to detail the organization believes will be beneficial.
Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit attended mandatory minicamp but didn’t participate, and the team didn’t make it clear if their lack of participation was due to injuries or contract situations. Those extensions loom large over the next three weeks.
The bottom line? Watson is grinding through the break to prove he’s still the guy. Sanders has the momentum and the youth. Watson has the experience, Sanders has the momentum, and the pads have not even come on yet. Monken is letting the battle breathe, and the smart money says this one goes deep into August.
Three weeks until rookies report. The real fun is just getting started.
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