Deshaun Watson knows his timeline to prove he can be better than Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur would see the light at the end of the tunnel only if Deshaun Watson fails to deliver good results.
The Cleveland Browns will stick with Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback, but his margin for error will be extremely small. The veteran quarterback enters the 2026 season under immense pressure and with the obligation to deliver from Week 1 .
According to Jason LaCanfora of Casino.org , Watson will have between four and six games to prove that he can still be a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL before Cleveland decides to give an opportunity to Shedeur Sanders , who will enter his second season in the league.
“Inside information at the Browns suggests that Deshaun Watson’s time as the starting quarterback is under serious pressure, with news stating that he has only four-to-six weeks to impress before Shedeur Sanders gets his opportunity,” LaCanfora wrote.
Is Shedeur Sanders at risk?
Cleveland was one of the few teams that kept four quarterbacks during the roster-cut process. However, the Browns’ 53-man roster currently features three quarterbacks because Dillon Gabriel will begin the season on injured reserve (IR) due to a back injury that will sideline him for at least the first four games.
Gabriel remains the most likely trade candidate, especially with the Browns’ current QB3 being sixth-round rookie Taylen Green , a highly athletic player with significant upside for the future.
However, Jared Mueller of SB Nation’s Dawgs By Nature suggested a scenario in which Cleveland could make a drastic move and move on from Sanders if the team decides to claim former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III , who was released on Monday.
“Given Milton’s athletic ability and big arm, he fits HC Todd Monken’s traits for a quarterback,” Mueller wrote. “While Cleveland could choose to claim Milton and waive a player at another position, that seems unlikely. Instead, the addition of Milton would likely lead to the departure of either Shedeur Sanders or the rookie Green. With Milton’s experience and Green entering his first season, Sanders seems like the odd man out if the Browns were to claim Milton.”
Cleveland currently holds the sixth spot in the NFL waiver order and could have an opportunity to acquire Milton, despite still having significant competition at the quarterback position.
The Browns would need to give Sanders a real opportunity
The future of Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland remains uncertain. Moving on from the quarterback, either through a release or a trade, could spark a strong reaction from fans , especially after the team’s decision to name Watson the starter over the young passer.
Sanders started the final seven games of last season and made a positive impression during training camp and the preseason. He also remains the most popular option among Cleveland’s quarterbacks.
If the Browns truly want to move on from Sanders in the future without creating further controversy, they would first need to give him another legitimate opportunity to prove his value as a starter.
If Watson fails to meet expectations and Sanders also cannot turn things around, Cleveland could enter the next offseason with Taylen Green as a future prospect and two first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft to finally try to find its franchise quarterback.
