Cleveland's head coach, Todd Monken, has a big decision to make before the season begins. A key position on the field remains up in the air after months of practice. 

Ralph Vacchiano shared his latest assessment. He placed Cleveland at number 28 as the team enters training camp. The biggest concern keeping them near the bottom of the league remains the unresolved quarterback battle.

"The offseason didn’t clear up the QB battle, which is apparently only between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Honestly, this doesn’t feel like a situation where anybody actually wins," Vacchiano reported. 

This specific ranking and the attached remarks come from the Fox Sports 2026 NFL Power Rankings. 

Vacchiano believes the organization is still surrounded by uncertainty. The competition between Watson and Sanders carried through voluntary workouts and minicamp.

None of them has separated themselves enough on the practice field to gain confidence. Because of this, Cleveland remains without a confirmed Week 1 starter.

Monken’s key message to the media is that the quarterbacks will decide the job through their own performances. As the coach stated, "Ultimately, I'm not going to decide who the starter is. They decide by their play." 

Currently, Watson handles more first-team reps early in camp, while Sanders continues working with the second unit. 

The stakes are getting higher every day, setting up a storyline for the rest of the summer.

Why the current quarterback battle is turning heads across the league

Many still view Watson as the early favorite for the starting role. He is entering the final year of his guaranteed $230 million contract. Cleveland also made a huge investment in him by trading three first-round picks. 

According to the Sporting News, his injury timeline includes a torn Achilles in 2024 and a re-rupture during rehab in January 2025. This is why he missed the entire 2025 season. The front office has a strong reason to evaluate him on the field before his contract expires.

Sanders was a fifth-round pick, taken 144th overall, in the 2025 NFL Draft. He started seven games as a rookie. He recorded 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and ten interceptions. 

He also added 169 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on the ground. Many believe Cleveland needs to properly evaluate the young passer before the 2027 draft, where the franchise owns extra draft capital. 

Fortunately, both quarterbacks have avoided turning this situation into a personal rivalry. Sanders shared that he is focused on becoming the best version of himself and respects everyone in the quarterback room. 

Watson has also praised the chemistry among all four passers, noting that everyone is supporting each other's overall development. Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green technically remain on the current depth chart. 

Who do you trust to lead this offense when September arrives?

Read more at Quarter Back Central! 

Written by

Utsav Sinha

Edited by

Utsav Sinha