The Cleveland Nytimes have officially opened training camp in Berea, Ohio, with an open competition for the starting quarterback job, according to ESPN. The battle is being overseen by first-year head coach Todd Monken and centers primarily on nine-year veteran Deshaun Watson and second-year player Shedeur Sanders, though Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green will receive meaningful reps when appropriate.
Browns Open Training Camp With Quarterback Battle
Monken stated that the team does not need to name a starting quarterback until the season begins on September 13, giving both passers time to make their case during training camp and the upcoming preseason games. For the first week of camp, one quarterback will work with the No. 1 offense while the other operates with the No. 2 group in early sessions, with Sanders and Watson alternating days with the top unit for the foreseeable future according to Monken.
Watson Struggles in Return as Sanders Wins First Day
The opening practice of camp proved difficult for Deshaun Watson, who is attempting to revive his career in the final season of the five-year, $230 million contract he signed in 2022 according to The Athletic. Watson has not played in an NFL regular-season game in over 600 days, having missed the entire 2025 season following a re-tear of the right Achilles tendon he initially injured in Week 7 of the 2024 campaign according to CBS Sports.
Playing as the first passer up with the No. 1 offense on Wednesday, Watson threw back-to-back early interceptions and struggled with accuracy and missing targets according to Cleveland.com. Defensive players Denzel Ward closed on a pass thrown on a designed rollout, and Mathis recorded a sliding interception after Watson scrambled to avoid pressure according to The Athletic.
While Shedeur Sanders did not deliver an overpowering performance, mostly throwing checkdowns, quick swing passes, and connecting with rookie receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston during 7-on-7 drills, his cleaner execution led observers to view him as the better performer on the opening day according to Cleveland.com. Sanders enters the competition after taking over the starting role in Week 11 of the 2025 season following his selection by the Browns in the fifth round (144th overall) of the 2025 NFL draft according to CBS Sports.
Roster Changes and Historic Franchise Context
The quarterback battle unfolds against a backdrop of deep offensive restructuring. Cleveland’s offense in 2025 suffered from heavy pass-blocking deficiencies, allowing an NFL-worst 45.5% pressure rate, which contributed to all five primary offensive line starters from last season leaving the roster according to CBS Sports. To address these issues, the Browns selected Utah All-American offensive lineman Spencer Fano ninth overall in the 2026 NFL draft according to CBS Sports.
The new-look starting offensive line at the start of camp featured:
- Dawand Jones at left tackle
- Zion Johnson at left guard
- Elgton Jenkins at center
- Teven Jenkins at right guard
- Tytus Howard at right tackle
Whichever quarterback wins the starting assignment will attempt to break a historic drought for the franchise. According to CBS Sports Research, the Browns have finished outside the top 10 in passer rating for 30 consecutive seasons, representing the longest such active streak in NFL history according to CBS Sports.
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