The Browns’ starting quarterback job is Deshaun Watson’s to lose.
The controversial signal-caller is a -174 favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook to be behind center for Cleveland during Week 1, barely beating out Shedeur Sanders, who is +136 to be the guy.
Watson, who missed all of last season with an Achilles tear, reportedly “has the inside track to be named QB1” for the franchise, according to a report from Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Chabot last month.
The three-time Pro Bowler has played in just 19 games for the Browns since being traded by the Texans in 2022 and later signing a massive five-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $230 million.
Cleveland is hoping to finally get a full, healthy season from the quarterback they paid a hefty price to bring in.
In addition to his Achilles injury, the former first-round pick served an 11-game suspension in 2022 stemming from sexual misconduct allegations.
He’s currently expected to replace Sanders, who finished last season as Cleveland’s starter.
Sanders threw for 1,400 yards with seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions in eight games (seven starts) for the Browns after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft.
The Browns are also expected to take a look at 2025 third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, who spent time last season as Cleveland’s starting QB.
Gabriel is a 55/1 long shot to win the job.
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They will all be learning a new offense under Todd Monken, who took over as the Browns’ head coach after the firing of Kevin Stefanski after three seasons as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator.
“Anytime that you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skill set at an elite level,” Monken said of Watson in February. “I think you’re always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of him again, and I think that’s how you should look at every player.”
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Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.