Browns Nearing QB Verdict: Sanders Edges Watson
Source: Yard Barker. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
Todd Monken is ready to bring clarity to the Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation. The first-year head coach plans to announce Monday who will take the first snap of the regular season: Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson. The decision comes after each quarterback got a start in the preseason, giving Monken enough data to end the competition. "I anticipate naming the starter tomorrow," Monken said Sunday, as reported by the team's official website.
Monken's hand was forced by what unfolded in the Browns' 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Sanders, who started the game, opened with eight consecutive completions. He finished 9-of-11 for 74 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His touchdown capped an 11-play opening drive that briefly tied the score. But his interception came when he threw behind his receiver, allowing Damar Hamlin to tip and pick the pass. It was not a dominant performance, but it was far better than what Watson offered in relief.
Watson entered in the second half and completed only 5 of 12 passes for 35 yards, with an interception and a passer rating of 14.6. He failed to produce a single scoring drive. The home crowd at Cleveland Browns Stadium voiced its displeasure with boos, a reaction Watson called "disrespectful" and "personal" after the game. Monken said those comments would not factor into his decision. That is the correct stance for a head coach. The competition should be decided on the field, not by fan sentiment or postgame remarks.
Watson entered camp as the more experienced quarterback, but his recent history tells a troubling story. Since being acquired in 2022, he has started only 19 games for the Browns. He missed the entire 2025 season after suffering two Achilles injuries and has not completed a full season since 2020. His preseason performance against Buffalo did little to suggest he is on the verge of a comeback. The Browns have already paid a steep price in draft capital and guaranteed money. Starting Watson now will not recover those assets or restore the elite form he showed with the Houston Texans.
Sanders, meanwhile, is still developing. His rookie season featured seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions and a 56.6% completion rate. Those numbers are not a guarantee of future success, but they do not rule out growth. The Browns need to find out whether Sanders can become the long-term answer. Starting Watson only postpones that evaluation while committing the offense to a quarterback whose best years are behind him.
Sanders did not overwhelm in the competition. Rather, Watson failed to seize the job. The veteran had a better statistical outing against the Chicago Bears, completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards. But Sanders responded by handling the starting assignment more effectively against Buffalo, showing improved command of the offense. Monken noted that progress after the game. "There's a lot there to like," Monken said. "He plays with a certain amount of confidence. He has gotten a lot better at getting rid of the ball."
Cleveland does not need to anoint Sanders as its franchise quarterback on Monday. It only needs to acknowledge that he has earned the first opportunity. If Sanders struggles, Watson remains available on the bench. Choosing Watson first would force the Browns to wait for another failure before turning to the younger quarterback anyway. Monken's decision should be based on performance, development, and the direction of the franchise. All three point toward Sanders.
Article commentary
The Cleveland Browns' quarterback decision is less about choosing between two viable options and more about acknowledging a painful reality. Deshaun Watson was supposed to be the franchise savior when the Browns traded for him in 2022, surrendering three first-round picks and signing him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. Three years later, he has started only 19 games, suffered two Achilles tears, and shown little of the dynamic play that made him a star in Houston. His preseason cameo against Buffalo was a microcosm of his tenure in Cleveland: ineffective, mistake-prone, and met with jeers. Shedeur Sanders, by contrast, represents a low-risk, high-upside gamble. The rookie's numbers last season—seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 56.6% completion—are far from elite, but they are typical for a first-year quarterback learning on the job. More importantly, he has shown growth. His command of the offense in the preseason game against Buffalo was noticeably better than his earlier outings. He completed his first eight passes, led a touchdown drive, and displayed poise under pressure. The interception was a rookie mistake, but it does not overshadow the progress. The Browns' dilemma is a cautionary tale for NFL teams that chase big-name quarterbacks at any cost. Watson's contract is unmovable, and his performance has not justified the investment. The team cannot trade him without taking a massive cap hit, and cutting him would be even more disastrous. So Cleveland is stuck hoping that either Watson rediscovers his form or that Sanders develops into a starter. The latter is the more realistic path forward. Monken's decision to name Sanders as the starter is the right one, even if it is not a ringing endorsement. Sending Watson back onto the field after the boos and his own criticism of the fans would create a toxic environment from day one. Sanders, on the other hand, offers a fresh start and a reason for fans to watch with hope rather than anger. The Browns need to evaluate whether he can be the long-term answer, and the only way to do that is to give him the reins. If Sanders struggles, Watson will be waiting. But the timeline matters. The Browns are not a playoff contender this season. They are in a rebuilding phase, and that means prioritizing development over short-term wins. Starting Sanders accelerates that process. It also sends a message to the locker room and the fan base that performance, not contract size, determines playing time. Ultimately, the Browns have little to lose by giving Sanders the first shot. Watson is not going anywhere, and the team's future is already mortgaged. The only way forward is to find out what they have in their young quarterback. Monday's announcement will be the first step in that journey—a step that, for once, aligns with common sense and long-term planning.