Sanders vs Watson: Browns' QB Battle Heats Up

0:00It's April 3rd. You're listening to NFL News today, AI-powered football coverage. I'm Cory with the story. Cleveland Browns just wrapped NFL owners meetings, and their offseason kicks off next week with high stakes QB talks dominating. Shadour Sanders looks like the frontrunner to snag the starting gig over to Sean Watson, despite public praise for Watson's comeback shot. Sanders, 24 years old with three seasons left, gets a real competition this time after limited reps as a rookie. Earlier this week, owner Jimmy Haslam called the Watson era a swing in miss, but the team is committed financially while eyeing Sanders' growth. Watson's been banged up and inconsistent in 19 starts, good and maybe four. Sanders missed time with an oblique strain last summer, but started the final seven games, now bulking up and throwing with teammates for a leap. Fans and insiders see this as chapter 19 in the Browns in-list QB saga, with Sanders' offseason reps and meetings and drills key to leading the new offense.

1:01Meanwhile, Miles Garrett's contract week cleared a trade runway at age 30, though no one's pushing him out unless QB sorts itself, and offers are. Massive. Draftbuzz points to trading down from pick number six or number 24 for extra picks in 2026 or 2027. They might grab Ohio State wide-out carnal Tate early, then lineman like Miami's Francis Mauigoa or Utah's Caleb Lomu to fix a line that rotated three, left tackles and four right tackles last year. As evaluations wrap in the April 23 draft nears, Sanders has the job to lose. Garrett stays put barring a blockbuster and the Browns build, patiently around rising pieces.