Browns Camp Winners and Losers: Watson Fights for Job, Verse Starts Brawl
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Two weeks of training camp are in the books, and the Cleveland Browns are getting ready to face the Chicago Bears in their preseason opener. Head coach Todd Monken has seen enough to start making tough calls. Here are the real winners and losers from Week 2.
Winner: Deshaun Watson — Still the Man Under Center
Deshaun Watson had his best practice since the controversial 2022 trade. He threw multiple touchdown passes and ran the offense cleanly. On Saturday, he took first-team reps even though Monken said rookie Shedeur Sanders would start. Watson is winning this quarterback competition, plain and simple.
Loser: Shedeur Sanders — Slipping Down the Depth Chart
Sanders split backup reps with Dillon Gabriel on Saturday. If he's with the second team again Monday, the writing is on the wall. He hasn't played badly, but the coaches keep talking about pre-snap operation. Watson has the edge there.
Winner: Wide Receiver Room — Berry's Investment Pays Off
General manager Andrew Berry loaded up on receivers this offseason. Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond caught highlight touchdowns from Watson. Rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston keep stealing the show. These guys look like the real deal.
Loser: Starting Offensive Line — Banged Up and Struggling
The offensive line is getting beat up. Both centers competing for the job were injured this week. Right tackle Tytus Howard missed time. Rookie left tackle Spencer Fano is rotating with Dawand Jones. The defense is winning the battle right now. This unit needs to get its ducks in a row fast.
Winner: Jared Verse — Leader, Trash Talker, Brawler
Jared Verse went viral for staying after practice to help rookie Fano. Then on Saturday, he started a huge brawl with the same kid. That fight brought out the best in Fano, who had a few great series after the dust settled. Verse is dominating the offensive line and showing real leadership. That's the kind of grit America needs.
What's Next for the Browns?
The Browns host the Bears on Saturday. Monken will have to decide who gets the starting nod. Watson looks ready. Sanders needs to step up. The offensive line needs to heal. And Jared Verse will keep bringing the fire. This is football, folks. Real football.
Photo: Sports Illustrated