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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will compete for the starting spot with Shedeur Sanders.

The Cleveland Browns are pushing back against the idea that Deshaun Watson holds a built-in edge over Shedeur Sanders in the team’s quarterback competition.

General manager Andrew Berry addressed the subject Tuesday on ESPN Cleveland, tamping down the notion that Watson’s experience and NFL resume put him ahead of Sanders — and Dillon Gabriel — in new head coach Todd Monken’s open competition.

“I don’t know if any player has an advantage. Of course, experience helps. That’s one of the strengths Deshaun has relative to the rest of the room. I wouldn’t say that in and of itself gives any player an advantage. Both of those guys have worked really hard over the past several months,” Berry said. “We’re pleased with how they’ve started out the offseason programming. We’ll see how the next few weeks and months play out as all those guys — Dillon and eventually Taylen — get up and running. We’ll see where the chips fall.”

Browns Looking for Something Simple in QB Competition

It’s difficult to overlook the advantage Watson brings in terms of experience. A former first-round pick, three-time Pro Bowler, and the NFL’s passing yards leader in 2020, his resume stands apart from the rest of the room. Add in the reality of his fully guaranteed $230 million deal — now entering its final year — and the Browns’ investment only amplifies that.

However, Berry made clear the competition will be decided on the field, not on paper.

“We’ve preached competition since we’ve been here, and that’ll hold true in the quarterback room. We’re looking for performance,” Berry said. “I hate to make it that simple, but that’s what it’s about ultimately. I think you all know that we’d like to keep at least three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, provided they earn the spot, and another on the practice squad, so we want to make sure we have talent and depth at the position.”

Deshaun Watson’s Availability is a Significant Question

Watson is making his return after missing the entire 2025 season while recovering from two separate Achilles ruptures. Overall, he’s played in just 19 games since landing with the Browns in 2022. Watson also had season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023. Monken didn’t feel that Watson was limited by his past ailments when the Browns got on the field for voluntary minicamp.

“Ball’s coming out great. Looks great,” Monken said. “He moved around great. And the ball came out great.”

Sanders, meanwhile, enters his second season after finishing last year as Cleveland’s starter. The fifth-round pick out went 3-4 over the final seven games after stepping in for Gabriel.

Gabriel is also in the mix, although mostly as an afterthought. He’s primarily fighting for a roster spot, with the Browns adding rookie Taylen Green to the mix. The Browns selected Green in the sixth round at pick No. 182.

Gabriel could end up as the odd man out. Watson and Sanders are likely to occupy two spots on the 53-man roster. Green is a dynamic athlete and could be worthy of a roster spot if the Browns build out a particular package that capitalizes on his skill set.