Shedeur Sanders appeared to take control of the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition on Saturday, but Todd Monken’s latest comment indicate Deshaun Watson is still firmly under consideration.
Sanders outplayed Watson during Cleveland’s 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills. He completed 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a half of play. Watson played just over a quarter, finishing 5 of 12 for 36 yards and an interception.
Watson then complicated his case with comments aimed at a fan base that showered him with boos throughout his first home appearance since tearing his Achilles in October 2024.
“I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson said. “It’s a little bit more personal than that. So, I think it’s a disrespectful thing.”
The combination made Sanders appear to be the clear choice. However, Monken pushed back on that conclusion on Sunday and indicated that Watson remains firmly under consideration. Monken said Watson’s postgame comments will not influence who starts the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“We have to be a little bit careful about judging someone right after going out there to play, feeling like he’s put in the work and not performing as well as he would have wanted,” Monken said. “We all want to be appreciated. He spoke from the heart. And I don’t blame someone who speaks from the heart.
“What I’m concerned about is us playing well as a team and on offense, because when you play well, none of the other stuff matters. Just play well, coach well, score points, win games, and none of that will even matter.”
Sanders and Watson have remained close throughout training camp and the preseason. Several decisions from Monken and his staff suggested Watson held a slight edge entering Saturday’s game. One difficult situation may not have erased that advantage.
Odds Favor Deshaun Watson as Browns Starter
Watson remains the favorite to win Cleveland’s starting job. As of Sunday afternoon, prediction market Kalshi gave him a 66% chance of being named the starter. The narrative around Watson also started to shift following Monken’s presser.
“Sure sounds like Watson will be the starter. And if he outplayed him all offseason — which it sounds like he did — he should be,” Pete Prisco of CBS Sports wrote on X.
“Listening to this Todd Monken press conference, it feels like a real possibility the Browns are going to announce Deshaun Watson as their starter tomorrow,” Ben Axelrod of Front Office Sports wrote on X. “Could 100% see the Browns convincing themselves that Watson should get the first two games and that if he doesn’t play well enough to fight off the boos, they’ll just bench him for the home opener in Week 3.”
Browns Have Seen Enough From Sanders and Watson
GettyHead coach Todd Monken of the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders and Watson have taken their final preseason snaps. Monken said neither quarterback will play Thursday against the New England Patriots. Dillon Gabriel will start the preseason finale, while rookie Taylen Green is expected to receive his first game action.
The Browns also plan to rest their established starters and use the matchup to evaluate the back end of the roster.
“There are still roster spots to be had, and there’s still a lot to play for,” Monken said. “Whenever you take the field in a Browns uniform, there’s the expectation of the name on the back of the jersey and the helmet, and what that stands for.
“I’m excited to see Taylen Green play. I want to see him play and give him an opportunity to build on what he showed in the limited reps that he did get against the Bills.”
Naming a starter will be only the first step in sorting out Cleveland’s crowded quarterback room. Gabriel has surfaced in trade speculation, although his future could be tied to how the Browns handle Watson. If Sanders wins the job, Cleveland could keep Watson as the backup or make him inactive on game days and use Gabriel as the No. 2 quarterback.
Green appears to be a candidate for the practice squad if the Browns keep the other three. However, exposing the rookie to waivers would give every other team an opportunity to claim him.
Shedeur Sanders Gets Bad News on Eve of Browns QB Decision