Fantasy Football News

Browns HC Todd Monken has named QB Deshaun Watson his Week 1 starter over Shedeur Sanders.

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders comfortably out-played QB Deshaun Watson in Saturday's preseason game vs. the Bills. Sanders got the start and went 9-of-11 for 74 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT across four possessions. He also took 1 sack on his 13 dropbacks. It was far from a flawless performance, but it was a lot better than QB Deshaun Watson's showing. He mustered just 36 yards with 0 TDs and 1 INT on 5-of-12 passing. The INT came on a bad throw and bad decision into traffic.

After an offseason that didn’t see any newcomers to challenge for the top quarterback spot, we’re nine days into Browns training camp and there isn’t a clear lead for it. Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports that there is “Zero apparent separation in the ongoing quarterback battle” between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders.

Cleveland's QB competition has been viewed as Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders throughout the offseason, which makes obvious sense. Sanders finished last year as the team's starter, and Watson's still making way too much money to not at least get consideration. But Dillon Gabriel has gained recent praise from HC Todd Monken and should see expanded practice reps.

The Athletic’s Zac Jackson believes Browns QB Shedeur Sanders “might be taking the lead” over Deshaun Watson in the competition for the starting job. Sanders and Deshaun Watson have taken turns running the first-team offense, but Jackson suggested that the second-year QB has outplayed Watson so far.

Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot reports that QB Deshaun Watson appears to be moving toward being named the Browns' starter for the coming season.

The Cleveland Browns selected Arkansas QB Taylen Green in Round 6 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Green started for two years at Boise State before transferring to Arkansas for his final two seasons. He combined for 5,868 passing yards with 34 passing TDs and 20 INTs over those two years. Green also added 1,379 rushing yards and 16 rushing TDs. Green’s game was bult on his elite athleticism. He ran a 4.36 40 with a 43.50” Vertical and 11’02” Broad Jump at 6’5 3/4 and 227 pounds. Among the 15 QBs invited to the NFL Combine, Green ranked 15th in 2025 adjusted completion percentage (71.3%), and sixth in aDOT (9.5). He ranked 12th in 2025 Big Time Throw rate (3.2%) and second in rushing yards per game when removing sacks (82.8). He is currently 23 years old.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said QB Deshaun Watson is in “great shape” and will get a clean slate to compete for the starting job. Watson missed the entire 2025 season after tearing his Achilles in October 2024 and undergoing a second surgery in January 2025. Still, Haslam noted that Watson "threw the ball well” late last season despite remaining on the PUP list.

The Browns haven't signed or traded for a QB this offseason. As a result, Zac Jackson of The Athletic belives "it's fair to assume that [Shedeur] Sanders will get at least some runway" to be QB1.

New Browns HC Todd Monken says he's "intrigued" by a QB already on the Cleveland roster ... and it's not a guy who played for the team in 2025. The coach used that description for Deshaun Watson at his opening news conference. And Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot reports that Monken and Watson are "eager" to work together. The QB last played in Week 7 of 2024, when a torn Achilles' tendon ended his season. Watson spent most of this past season still working back from the injury, gaining clearance for football activity in November.

Former Ravens OC Todd Monken was hired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Monken has been with the Ravens since 2023, serving as the team’s offensive coordinator under QB Lamar Jackson. He was also a member of the Browns’ staff in 2019, working as offensive coordinator under HC Freddie Kitchens.

The Browns on Monday fired HC Kevin Stefanski after six seasons. Cleveland went 44-56 in the regular season across those years, making the playoffs twice and winning a playoff game in Stefanski's debut campaign. The past two seasons, however, have seen the Browns go 3-14 and 4-12. An official statement from team ownership specifically blamed those records for the firing. GM Andrew Berry, however, remains in his role. Berry assumed GM duties in the same offseason in which Stefanski arrived.

Last week, Shedeur Sanders had his signature breakout performance, accounting for 393 total yards and 4 TDs against the Titans and being named the Browns' starter for the remainder of the season. But Sanders plummeted back to Earth against Chicago's opportunistic defense in Week 15. Sanders completed 18 of 35 attempts for 177 yards, 0 TDs, and 3 INTs in Cleveland's 31-3 loss.