Cleveland Browns 2026 Training Camp Position Battle to Watch

NFL teams have wrapped up their respective organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamps, and after a near month-long break, they'll pick things back up near the end of July for training camp.

The first preseason game takes place on Thursday, Aug. 6 on NBC when the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals face off in the Hall of Fame Game. The rest of the preseason's first week will take place from Aug. 13-15, followed by Week 2 on Aug. 20-23, and Week 3 on Aug. 27-29.

But before the preseason gets underway, teams must first report to training camp. The Cleveland Browns haven't announced the exact date they report to camp, but below is their biggest position battle to watch this summer.

Position Battle: QB | Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders

The Browns have several jobs up for grabs but none bigger than the quarterback battle between Watson and Sanders.

Watson hasn't played a snap since Oct. 20, 2024, due to two torn Achilles, and it's hard to see him being inactive for that long and coming in and being better than Sanders, who had a solid showing last year as a rookie.

But with the enormous contract Cleveland gave Watson ($230 million fully guaranteed), many believe the team wants Watson to win the job so it can try and salvage something from his disastrous tenure.

But Sanders shouldn't be counted out.

The 24-year-old went 3-4 as the starter last year, passing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions after taking over for Dillon Gabriel midseason. Though he had some growing pains, Browns fans really rallied behind Sanders once he got his opportunity, and if Watson does start the year as QB1, it won't take many poor performances before the fan base is clamoring to see Sanders.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently reported Watson is still the favorite to win the job, but Sanders is gaining ground quickly.

"As was told to me, Deshaun Watson went into the spring as the clear favorite, and then Shedeur Sanders has bridged the gap at least somewhat," Fowler said. "I still believe Watson’s in a good position. I’m told he was moving like a major athlete again coming off those Achilles tears.

"He’s moving well, he’s fluid, looks like the athlete of old to most extents. But Sanders was decisive, I was told he’s got a presence about him that the coaching staff noticed that they might have underestimated a little bit. So I expect this to go into preseason games, you’re going to see multiple weeks of this."

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This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 7:44 PM.