During the first week of February, Cleveland Browns cornerback and 2025 Pro Bowl selection Denzel Ward politely declined to strongly back 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders as the club’s starting quarterback for 2026.
More recently, Browns pass-rusher and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett was a guest on the podcast hosted by Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons. Garrett was asked if he thinks Sanders can be “the guy” for the Browns moving forward.
Myles Garrett: Shedeur Sanders deserves an opportunity to win QB1 gig
“That’s who we’re looking at as a guy,” Garrett said about Sanders, per Stephen Douglas of Sports Illustrated. “You know, we’re going to give him a shot to prove that he’s the guy. We’re not going to give anyone that title until they go out there and earn it. You know, he was the last person to be on the field, and he showed some flashes, so we’re going to give him an opportunity to show what he can really do.”
As Garrett alluded to, Sanders made seven starts as a rookie and finished the campaign atop the Cleveland depth chart. Multiple stats suggest Sanders was one of the league’s worst starting signal-callers for the 2025 campaign, but he did help the Browns notch three wins as a first-year pro.
During his introductory news conference, new Browns head coach Todd Monken offered no real hints about his plans for the team’s quarterback situation.
Of course, Sanders isn’t the only big-name quarterback currently on Cleveland’s roster. The Browns famously signed Deshaun Watson to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract in March 2022, and he is expected to remain with the club through this offseason. Understandably, Parsons asked Garrett about Watson’s status.
Will Deshaun Watson “get a real look” to be Browns’ 2026 Week 1 starter?
“I feel like everyone on the roster is going to get a shot,” Garrett responded. “[Sanders] was the last guy on the field, so he’s obviously going to get first serve. Deshaun, whoever else is on the roster, is gonna get a real look.”
Watson hasn’t played in a meaningful game since he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in October 2024. According to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi, Watson’s 33.1 total QBR since he joined the Browns in 2022 would rank last in the league over that time if he were among qualifying passers.