Deshaun Watson Was 1-6 in 2024 Starts, And Now He's Fighting For His Job

Alright, so you know how the QB competition talk gets wild? Well, over in Cleveland, Deshaun Watson is apparently back at the Browns facility this week, getting after it. But hold up, this ain't just some casual training session. He's reportedly got his private physical therapist and QBs coach with him, all because he's in a straight-up battle for the starting job against second-year guy Shedeur Sanders. Can you believe it?

The QB Battle Monken Can't Call

This is wild, right? New Browns head coach Todd Monken apparently wanted a starter locked in by the end of their offseason program. Like, a definitive pick. But earlier this month, Monken admitted he's still not ready to name anyone. Why? Because both Watson and Sanders have shown they can play "winning football" for the team. So much for a clear leader, huh? It tells you how tight this thing is if they can't even pick a guy heading into the heart of summer.

The Weight of That Contract and The 1-6 Shadow

Let's not forget the elephant in the room for Watson. This dude missed the ENTIRE 2025 season after tearing his Achilles. Rough. And now, he's entering the final year of that massive five-year, fully guaranteed contract he signed when he got traded to the Browns. Talk about pressur

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e! Since that infamous trade, he's only started 19 games. His stats? He's completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,365 yards, with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Not exactly eye-popping, especially when you look at that 2024 season. Cleveland went a dismal 1-6 in games Watson started that year. One win, six losses. That record hangs heavy, no doubt, and it's gotta be why he's in this competition in the first place.

Southern Sun and a Passing Camp Showdown

So what's next? Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com dropped a note that Watson is actually planning to host a passing camp down in South Florida in mid-July. Guess who's reportedly gonna be there? Shedeur Sanders. Yeah, his competition. You think that's gonna be a friendly hang? Every single rep, every single throw at that camp is going to be scrutinized. It's an interesting move, almost like a pre-preseason showdown. This competition is heating up, and it's only July! Man, the Browns have a serious decision on their hands, and it feels like Monken's still scratching his head. For Watson, this isn't just about getting healthy, it's about proving he's *the* guy, especially with that contract expiring. Who steps up and truly owns that starting spot will define their season, no question. We'll be watching to see how this whole thing plays out in the coming weeks. Go Hawks!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.