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Watson Wins Browns Week 1 Starter Race Over Sanders

4/30/2026

Summary

Watson Leads Starter Race

Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns quarterback) leads the Week 1 starter race after edging Shedeur Sanders in mandatory minicamp.
Watson received the most first-team reps, including red-zone and two-minute drills, while Sanders and Gabriel got fewer.
Owner Jimmy Haslam backed Watson, noting his $46 million salary this season (15 % of the cap) and a fresh start under coach Todd Monken, who will name the starter by June 9-11.

Summary

Watson Injured

Quarterback Watson tore his Achilles in October 2024, re-tore it in Miami, and underwent surgery in January 2025.
Since signing a five-year, $230 million deal in 2022, quarterback Watson played only 19 games, recording 1,148 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Quarterback Sanders threw seven touchdowns and nine interceptions in seven 2025 starts, posting a 3-4 record.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Browns’ 2025 pick, is vying for a roster spot after a concussion halted his six-game start streak.

History

Historical Context

The NFL’s 2011 collective bargaining agreement, ratified in August 2011, set a league-wide salary cap of $120.375 million and restored free-agency rules requiring four years of service for unrestricted status. Under that framework the Cleveland Browns committed $46 million in 2024 to quarterback Deshaun Watson, a move echoed by owner Jimmy Haslam.

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Watson Leads Starter Race

Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns quarterback) leads the Week 1 starter race after edging Shedeur Sanders in mandatory minicamp.
Watson received the most first-team reps, including red-zone and two-minute drills, while Sanders and Gabriel got fewer.
Owner Jimmy Haslam backed Watson, noting his $46 million salary this season (15 % of the cap) and a fresh start under coach Todd Monken, who will name the starter by June 9-11.

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