Former NFL star reveals Browns’ current favorite for the starting QB

As the Cleveland Browns and newly-hired head coach Todd Monken begin to prepare for the upcoming season, many fans are excited to watch the team live during the NFL training camp period this offseason.

While the Browns have done an excellent job this offseason of retooling the roster with plenty of young players on both sides of the ball, the main question surrounding the organization is the quarterback position. However, despite all the uncertainty regarding the position, fans are finally receiving a preview as to who will be named the starting quarterback in 2026.

During his recent appearance on the Speakeasy Podcast, former NFL star running back LeSean McCoy revealed some insight into the Browns’ quarterback battle, claiming that he believes veteran Deshaun Watson will be the starting quarterback to begin the 2026 season.

“I got a lot of sources and connections over there, players, you know what I’m saying,” McCoy stated on the Speakeasy Podcast. “They say Deshaun Watson looks good over there… and he’s going to start.”

While McCoy has clearly stated that he believes Watson will be the starting quarterback for the Browns in 2026, there have been multiple reports throughout the course of the offseason that back up his claim. Back in 2022, Cleveland traded away three first-round picks for the veteran playmaker, while also signing him to a massive, fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal. However, despite Watson landing a record-setting extension with the Browns, the organization has yet to see a true return on its investment in the 30-year-old.

In his 19 games played with the franchise, Watson has recorded 3,365 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions through three seasons. To make matters worse, the once highly touted quarterback suffered a season-ending Achilles tear during the 2024 season, causing him to miss the entire 2025 season.

With Watson recovering from injury, the Browns turned the starting quarterback role over to 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders for the last half of the previous regular season. During that time, Sanders threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while leading Cleveland to a 3-4 record in his seven starts. While the young quarterback showed some flashes of promise throughout his rookie season, all signs are pointing towards Watson being named the starter for Week One against the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road.