The Cleveland Browns have wrapped up Day 13 of training camp and all those invested in the quarterback competition are getting restless.
Browns head coach, Todd Monken told the Cleveland media he would inform the two quarterbacks, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, of his plan after Wednesday’s practice. Monken said whichever quarterback starts the game, the other will start the second half.
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If Sanders is not named the starter, it is quite plausible Cleveland may look to trade him prior to the season opener.
Why?
For starters (no pun intended), NFL teams rarely keep four quarterbacks on their roster. Currently, the Browns have Watson, Sanders, second-year quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, and 2026 sixth-round draft pick, Taylen Green.
Gabriel was the Browns’ third-round selection in 2025 along with Sanders who was drafted in the fifth round.
Gabriel was inserted as the Browns’ starter last season and started seven games going 1-6. Sanders took over in Week 11 for Gabriel after being injured against the Baltimore Ravens.
One could certainly surmise the Browns have a vested interest in their higher selected quarterback in Gabriel despite him taking mostly second-team reps this fall. If that is the case, there would be no reason to trade Gabriel if Cleveland sees him as a viable backup option.
So where would that put Sanders?
My guess is the Browns want to see how things play out with Watson who is owed $46 million on the final year of his contract. As inept as Cleveland has been as a franchise, it would behoove them to cut bait on a player worth that much — and to do so with nothing in return.
For the past several years, Sanders has taken the football world by storm. His popularity has rivaled Tim Tebow and like Tebow, his popularity may be to his detriment.
Should the Browns ultimately go with Watson, having the polarizing Sanders and his raging fan base hovering over Watson, Monken, and the entire organization is a distraction they likely would be willing to do without.
Time will tell, and time is winding up.
