Browns name Deshaun Watson Week 1 starter over Shedeur Sanders
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has officially named Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback for the 2026 NFL season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars
The most-talked-about quarterback battle of NFL training camp was settled Monday when Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken announced Deshaun Watson as the team’s starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders.
Watson being named starter is a controversial decision. The embattled quarterback has fallen short of expectations following a record-breaking five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract he signed in March of 2022. Still, Monken said Watson gives the Browns the “best chance to move the ball and score points.”
The Browns are scheduled to play their final preseason game on Thursday, Aug. 27, against the New England Patriots. Neither Watson nor Sanders is expected to play in Cleveland’s preseason finale as they already solidified their roster spots.
What’s next for Shedeur Sanders?
Sanders is slated to be No. 2 on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart behind Watson. Sanders started seven games as a rookie last year and was even an alternate selection to the Pro Bowl.
Monken told reporters he informed Sanders of the Browns’ quarterback decision on Monday and the second-year quarterback handled the news with professionalism.
“He was awesome. You talk about someone that really understands the long game,” Monken said. “That really I think that has come to understand the long game. What are we really in this for? What am I in it for? To have the Browns be an organization that people aspire to be, right? The long game. Where do we want to be in the long term?
“He understands that as well as a quarterback. Where he was at, where he’s at now (and) where he wants to get to. That is what’s so awesome about Shedeur understanding that. We met (Monday) morning for a good long time and all he had was a smile on his face because he understands what’s really in front of him. He’s gonna work his butt off to get better and he has already.”
Does Shedeur Sanders still have chance to start for the Browns?
NFL coaches often say it’s a week-to-week league. It’s often labeled as “coach speak,” but there is a lot of truth to those words. Even though Watson was named the Browns starter, his job as QB1 isn’t permanent.
The Browns begin the regular season with road games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before their home opener against the Carolina Panthers. If the Browns get off to a slow start or Watson performs similarly to his 19 previous career games in Cleveland, Monken could promote Sanders to starter.
It would be logical for the Browns to start Watson to begin the season and then switch to Sanders to finish out the year. It’s typically an easier transition to start a veteran quarterback before turning to a younger signal-caller.
It’s important for Sanders to stay focused and perform well in practice as he takes No. 2 quarterback reps and continue his development as a QB. There’s a good chance his days as a starter in Cleveland are far from over.
“I think Shedeur has done a great job,” Monken said. “He’s come a long way and we’re excited about his future.”
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