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Deshaun Watson is the clear frontrunner to win the Browns starting QB job.

Deshaun Watson has emerged from voluntary minicamp as the Cleveland Browns‘ frontrunner at quarterback, but a former NFL general manager isn’t ready to buy in.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Watson came out of last week’s minicamp with the edge over Shedeur Sanders and holds the inside track to be named the Browns’ QB1 heading into the season.

Mike Tannenbaum, the former general manager of the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, isn’t disputing Watson’s performance in shorts and helmets. His concern is what happens when the games begin — specifically, whether two torn Achilles tendons have permanently diminished the mobility that once made Watson one of the league’s most dangerous quarterbacks.

“It’s the most improbable development we’ve seen in a long time, given the amount of time he’s missed,” Tannenbaum said on The Pat McAfee Show. “You talk to quarterbacks who tore an Achilles, it’s a skill-diminishing injury. He’s done it twice. When you talk to quarterbacks at the end of their careers — Brett Favre, Dan Marino — it’s not their arm. It’s their feet and their legs.”

Tannenbaum: Unlikely Deshaun Watson Can Play 17 Games

Tannenbaum acknowledged that Watson’s arm isn’t the issue. The question is what happens once defenders close in and Watson has to move in the pocket.

“Once the bullets start flying, he has to show some short-area quickness and movement in the pocket,” Tannenbaum said. “I would be surprised if he can still move. I have no doubt he can throw the ball effectively.”

The former executive ultimately drew a hard line on Watson’s ceiling given everything he’s been through.

“This offense should be way better but I would be surprised if Deshaun Watson can start and play at a high level for 17 games given everything he’s been through,” Tannenbaum said.

It’s a reasonable concern. Watson has undergone three surgeries over the past two years and has not played a full NFL season since 2020. He missed all of last season recovering from Achilles surgery.

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Still in Running But Chasing

Watson’s minicamp showing was enough to shift the first-team reps in his direction. Cabot reported that by the second day of minicamp, Watson was taking the majority of snaps, including in red zone and two-minute drill situations, having earned them by looking the part of a starting quarterback. The Browns have indicated they hope to establish a quarterback hierarchy by the conclusion of mandatory minicamp, scheduled for June 9-11.

Sanders, who started seven games as a rookie last season and posted 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, is not out of the running. But he’s chasing with roughly six weeks remaining before a decision is expected.

General manager Andrew Berry tried to tamp down the notion that Watson’s experience gives him an advantage in the competition.

“I don’t know if any player has an advantage,” Berry said on ESPN Cleveland. “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.”

Watson is motivated by an uncertain future. He’s entering the final year of a fully guaranteed, $230 million contract. If Watson, 30, hopes to stick around in the NFL beyond this season, he not only has to win the starting job. He also has to produce on the field.