The Cleveland Browns have made it through two weeks of training camp, and their highly-discussed quarterback battle is still ongoing. According to head coach Todd Monken, there isn’t a leader yet in the competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, and the evaluation is really just getting started now that Cleveland is done installing the offense.
While Watson seemed to gain a clear edge in terms of first-team reps over the weekend, the battle might still be far from over. The two quarterbacks have established their strengths and weaknesses, and after nine open practices, there is a consensus breakdown of the battle from media members who have been in attendance.
Browns’ color commentator Nathan Zegura recently detailed that breakdown in an appearance on 92.3 The Fan, explaining that Watson has been the best quarterback pre-snap, but Sanders has currently established himself as the best on the roster after the ball is snapped.
"Deshaun Watson has been the best from the operations standpoint; everything that happens before the ball is snapped. Shedeur's made great progress and it's easy to see. ... Once the ball has been snapped, I think Shedeur's been the most consistent of the quarterbacks, and thus, you would say then the best. Whereas Deshaun has been a little bit more up and down."
This explanation has been reiterated by multiple media members who cover the team, and they all make it a point to note that Sanders has been developing tremendously since the spring with his pre-snap responsibilities.
Acknowledging how far the second-year quarterback has come in a short amount of time, and taking into account that he’s clearly the best quarterback once the ball is in the QBs’ hands, it seems like Sanders should be the obvious winner of the battle.
Shedeur Sanders should emerge as Browns’ starter if training camp trend continues
It shouldn’t be a surprise that a 10-year veteran has the advantage over a second-year player when it comes to pre-snap responsibilities. Watson’s experience in the league should make the operations part of things easy for him.
It also shouldn’t be a surprise that the veteran quarterback has been inconsistent as a passer; that’s the kind of quarterback he has been in the latter part of his career. It’s fair to say that’s who Watson is as a passer. Any chance of him turning the corner and improving into a consistent quarterback are slim to none.
Watson has never been a consistent passer and decision-maker during his time in Cleveland, and it’s unlikely that he will magically evolve into one after multiple significant injuries and years of inactivity.
Sanders, on the other hand, has already shown rapid growth in the area that’s considered his weakness. Additionally, he’s still a player who hasn’t even started his second season in the league yet; most young players are still trying to get a grasp on the sophisticated pre-snap actions in the NFL.
Between Sanders’ youth and the significant improvement he’s already made, it’s far more likely that he will be able to close the gap on pre-snap operations than Watson closing the gap on the two’s post-snap abilities. Additionally, there are ways for coaches to help young quarterbacks, like Sanders, navigate games as they work to become more comfortable with pre-snap responsibilities. Once the ball is snapped, though, there’s nothing Monken can do for Watson.
Simply put, Sanders will only grow and get better at all the pre-snap stuff by practicing more and playing. Since he's already been the better quarterback after the snap, Shedeur Sanders should be the Browns’ starting quarterback.
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