Shedeur Sanders shuts down Deshaun Watson question as Browns struggle with ‘most polarizing’ QB1 race

Shedeur Sanders may not have a starting job in 2026, but he addresses the media like a pro.

The Cleveland Browns sophomore is in the middle of the second preseason quarterback battle of his fledgeling career.

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Deshaun Watson is his main rival, and reporters are obviously keen to hear if Sanders think he has the edge.

One asked: “Sheduer, we look at every practice as a race between you and Deshaun, and we’re judging who’s ahead and who’s behind. Do you do it that way or if you don’t do it that way, how do you block that competition?”

Sanders knew better than to comment on another player and delivered a pitch-perfect PR response.

“We just got to get a next question. I’ve answered this question a thousand times,” he said. “We focus on ourselves and what we do and what we need to do to get better each and every day.

“So, that’s just something you all think about and care about.”

Dad Deion Sanders was in town last week to watch the Browns in action, but Shedeur insists nothing is taking his eyes of the ball.

“It was good,” he added. “Like, I’m overall focused every day on the practice,

“So the outside, nothing else really matters whenever I’m on the field and that. But whenever I’m off the field, of course I’m excited that I see my dad.

“I hadn’t seen him since, I don’t know, like the summer maybe? But nothing matters when you’re between the lines.”

Sanders has reportedly taken leaps as a second-year pro, but remains the underdog for the QB1 jersey.

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Deshaun Watson must stop throwing picks in front of angry Browns fans

Watson has had a messy camp with some ugly picks, but Browns radio personality Tony Grossi thinks it is still his job to lose.

“Interceptions in training camp should not be overstated because a quarterback can push the envelope at practice and see what he can get away with,” he wrote. “But there is a problem with Deshaun Watson’s six interceptions in four practices.

“They are bad optics. They are not helping the Browns ‘sell’ him as the opening game starter. To earn the QB1 job, Watson has to prove beyond any shadow of doubt that he is better than overwhelming fan-favorite Shedeur Sanders.

“I believe that internally, the coaches and, yes, the players, see Watson ahead at this point. The fans don’t, and ordinarily they don’t matter. But in this case, given Watson’s negative history with the team and Sanders’ off-the-charts popularity, Watson has to perform to win fans over.

“The worst that can happen is Watson be named QB1 and he gets booed in the first home game. I hate quarterback competitions in general. But this one is the most polarizing competition in Browns history.”

Browns managing partner JW Johnson hinted that the team is aware of Watson’s image problem.

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“Whoever wins the job, we’re going to support them, and we hope the fans do too,” he said at camp. “The best thing they can do is play well and win football games, and that’ll change the narrative.”

Grossi thinks Watson needs to clean up his act quickly, or he will put Todd Monken in an awkward position.

“I believe Todd Monken thought Watson would be separating from Sanders by now,” he added. “Maybe that is happening in some aspects – operationally, etc. – but the interceptions are making Monken’s task tougher.”