There seems to be an endless number of scenarios and justifications being used to explain why Deshaun Watson is going to be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in their preseason opener on Saturday afternoon. Skeptics just can’t believe it’s as simple as head coach Todd Monken picking Watson for this game and Shedeur Sanders for the next one.
The most likely and easiest to understand explanation is that Watson has taken a slight lead over Sanders by virtue of his better play over the past week of practice. But there is also a chance that a lot of other things are going on below the surface.
Insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk put forth an interesting theory about Monken’s QB plans, saying that the Browns are starting Watson against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field because that game is on the road, so Sanders can start at home against the Buffalo Bills next week.
“Ordinarily, I think the guy who gets the first crack at starting a preseason game has the inside track, but I just can’t help but wonder whether under these circumstances, the Browns wanted Shedeur to get the home start, Deshaun to get the road start, and if it was flipped, it would be Shedeur starting that first game. I think they want Shedeur to seize the job, and Deshaun continues to be that foil aimed at getting the most out of Shedeur,” Florio said.
"I just can't help but wonder whether under these circumstances, the Browns wanted Shedeur to get the home start, Deshaun to get the road start…and if it was flipped. I think they want Shedeur to seize the job."
🚨 @ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio w/ @CLETalkingHeads on the… pic.twitter.com/FCIlS6bMgW
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 14, 2026
When Watson last played in a game, on Oct. 20, 2024, he was showered with boos and sarcastic cheers as he was carted off Huntington Bank Field after tearing his Achilles tendon. It reflected his status among the fan base, which may have gotten worse in the two years since then.
The Browns may wisely want to avoid a scenario where their starting quarterback is booed running out for his first live snap in almost two years. With this rotation, Sanders, as the people’s choice, is likely to receive a huge ovation when he jogs toward the huddle.
If Cleveland truly wants Sanders to win the job, as Florio suggests, Watson will be the one taking snaps behind a rebuilt offensive line in its first game together. Combined with the rust that is going to be unavoidable after so much time sidelined, he may indeed be set up for failure.
This is likely more podcast conjecture and a hot-take talking point than anything else, but it will be interesting to see if it does have any effect on Watson or Sanders as they continue to fight for the job.
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