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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has the inside track on the starting job.

Deshaun Watson has seemingly taken an early lead in the Cleveland Browns‘ quarterback competition, but the good news comes with an immediate warning attached.

Watson and Shedeur Sanders are engaged in a quarterback battle, with Watson holding the “inside track” after veteran minicamp, per Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com

“Deshaun Watson emerged from the Browns’ voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1,” Cabot said. “The Browns have said that their quarterback decision will be based on performance alone as opposed to development and a potential high pick in next year’s QB-rich draft class, and if the season started tomorrow, Watson would be the starter.”

The Browns worked hard this offseason to rebuild their offense, starting up front with the offensive line. Cleveland is set to run out an entirely new starting unit, headlined by No. 9 overall pick Spencer Fano at left tackle. The Browns also added some key pieces in the offseason in Zion Johnson, Tytus Howard and Elgton Jenkins.

Cleveland addressed its lack of pass-catching weapons in the draft, using two early picks on wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.

Davis: Browns QBs Better Have Standout Season

Nate Davis of USA Today highlighted Watson and Sanders as players on “thin ice” heading into next season. If neither quarterback can capitalize on an improved supporting cast, the Browns will start looking at other options for 2027.

“Watson, the lightning rod former Pro Bowler, has reached the final year of his controversial contract. Sanders is merely a former fifth-rounder despite the ability he showcased in college and flashed as a rookie,” Davis said. “Given the amount of talent GM Andrew Berry has provided this year, both in terms of a radically revamped offensive line and new wideouts in the draft – KC Concepcion (Round 1), Denzel Boston (Round 2) – one of these QBs better have a standout season if they’re going to dissuade Berry from taking another passer in the 2027 draft.”

The Browns also have Dillon Gabriel and rookie sixth-round pick Taylen Green in the mix. However, neither is expected to factor into the conversation as the Week 1 starter.

Browns QBs Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders Face Uncertainty

Watson has struggled to deliver on the massive five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract the Browns surrendered significant draft capital to acquire in 2022. He has played in just 19 of a possible 85 games in Cleveland, dealing with injuries and serving an 11-game suspension stemming from sexual assault allegations. He has never completed a full season with the franchise. Watson is heading into the final year of his contract.

Sanders, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft, took over as the starter midway through his rookie season after Gabriel suffered a concussion. He went 3-4 in seven starts but showed flashes of ability. Sanders was named a Pro Bowl replacement to cap his roller coaster rookie year.

The Browns have not set a firm timeline for deciding on their starting quarterback.

“I would love to have that. I’m not there yet,” coach Todd Monken said of naming a starter before training camp. “So, I can’t say that.”

The next major milestone for the Browns this offseason will be mandatory minicamp from June 9-11.