Deshaun Watson Declares He's Fully Healthy in QB Battle Against Shedeur Sanders
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Once viewed as one of the NFL‘s best quarterbacks, Deshaun Watson finds himself fighting for what could be his last chance at holding a starting job.
The three-time Pro Bowl selection and 2020 passing yards leader hasn’t played since October of 2024 due to multiple Achilles injuries. In addition to the injuries, off-field troubles have limited him to just 19 games with the Browns, who traded for him in 2022 and signed him to a monster $230 million, fully guaranteed contract.
Standing in Watson’s way of being the starter is the second-year quarterback and son of Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders. While he will have to show it on the field, Watson did seem confident when speaking to the media on Wednesday, citing the fact that he is actually healthy for the first time in a while.
“I could say that now I’m fully healthy, ready to go,” Watson told ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. “This last year, I was able to conquer that and then I’d just say I haven’t been 100% since that Tennessee game in ’23.”
Regarding how this quarterback battle is going, new Browns head coach Todd Monken told the media earlier this month that he doesn’t foresee a starter emerging before training camp.
“In a perfect world, you’d love to have your starting quarterback,” said Monken. “You’d love to have your o-line set, I’m not sure we’ll be there. I’m just not. I think both quarterbacks have played well enough, where we haven’t really been in pads, we haven’t played any games yet, haven’t really got to that point yet.”
The Browns have just one more day of mandatory minicamp remaining before they take a hiatus ahead of July’s training camp.
Related: Browns’ Todd Monken Announces QB1 Update Ahead of Shedeur Sanders’ 2nd NFL Season
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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