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Las Vegas has chimed in, and the odds for Cleveland's starting quarterback position have been updated and released. After the offseason wrapped up, the lean right now before camp is that the starting quarterback position is going to go to Deshaun Watson.
As it stands right now, Watson is the leader in the clubhouse with -215 odds to be the starting quarterback while Shedeur Sanders is in second place with +168 odds. Dillon Gabriel (+5500) and Taylen Green (+8000) round out spots three and four.
Las Vegas points to Deshaun Watson to win the QB1 job in an incredibly pressure-packed year.
The two guys at the top of the list have separated themselves as the clear frontrunners for the Browns quarterback job. For different reasons, both quarterbacks enter the season with immense personal pressure riding on the year. For Watson, 2026 feels like it is a last-chance go at his career.
If it goes well for Watson, he can prove that he can still play quarterback in the NFL. If it doesn't, there is a very realistic chance that he never gets another chance at playing the position in the league.
For Sanders, he is fighting for his career in Cleveland. He will absolutely get another chance in the NFL if it doesn't work out in Cleveland, but this is his last chance at it.
If Cleveland wins football games behind either of these guys, they just might commit to them long term. If the quarterback play stays as bad as it was last year, then the Browns will be drafting a quarterback at the top of the draft and moving on from both guys and likely off of Dillon Gabriel as well.
From the Browns' perspective, the best-case scenario would be a very good season from Sanders. Being that he is a fifth-round pick, he would be the saving grace from the Watson contract. Cleveland would likely have to extend him after the year, but he would be very affordable as they eat all of the Watson dead cap over the next two years.
If Watson is the answer, then they will have a very tough decision to make. The fanbase would be nearly 100 percent against Watson at quarterback, but if the Browns are winning, then it's a viable option.
What the Browns' third option would be is a top quarterback draft pick. While that would set up a long future, it would mean another really tough season in 2026.
Time will tell how it all shakes out, but if Vegas is telling the truth, Watson will be in line to get the first chance at the quarterback one position.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Las Vegas shows significant separation in Browns' QB1 battle
