Sources: Browns tab Watson, not Sanders, as starting QB
Daniel OyefusiAug 24, 2026, 10:02 AM ET
- Daniel Oyefusi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN. Prior to ESPN, he covered the Miami Dolphins for the Miami Herald, as well as the Baltimore Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.
BEREA, Ohio -- Deshaun Watson will open the season as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Watson, 30, emerged as the starter in a competition with second-year player Shedeur Sanders that began in the offseason workout program and stretched into the first two preseason games.
The Browns face the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road in Week 1.
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