Now that the Cleveland Browns quarterback competition has been settled, with Deshaun Watson the unpopular choice, at least outside the organization, thoughts have turned to how long he will actually keep the job. It is a scenario complicated by the fact that the fans have no desire to welcome the veteran at the home opener in Week 3.
Head coach Todd Monken cited the fact that the Browns’ first two games are on the road, and that Watson, with his experience, gives them a better chance to win than second-year pro Shedeur Sanders does. If Watson does win those two games, or maybe even just one, then Monken will be proven right, and they can move forward as planned.
However, with the more likely outcome being that Cleveland loses those first two games, at the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then all bets might be off. As stubborn as Monken seems to be, he likely would use Watson in the home opener against the Carolina Panthers, but based on what the fan reaction promises to be, that could wind up as the end of the line.
CBS Sports analyst Carter Bahns is predicting that Sanders could start for the Browns in Week 4, when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football.
“Shedeur Sanders will be the Browns’ starter by Week 4,” Bahns wrote. “Even though Shedeur Sanders might not have a long-term future as a starter in this league, he will get opportunities to prove himself again in 2026. Nothing Watson has shown since his arrival in Cleveland suggests he can hang on to the job. If he struggles in the Browns’ two road games to open the year, he will hear about it from the home fans in Week 3. That should be the last straw.”
That would be a very difficult assignment for Sanders were it to play out as Bahns suggests. Having to play the rival Steelers with so little prep time would be daunting for any quarterback, but especially one with only seven previous NFL starts.
If Watson does actually start in Week 3, it would make much more sense to have Sanders wait until Week 5 at the New York Jets to make his 2026 starting debut. Not only is it an easier opponent, but he would have extra time to prepare instead of less.
Of course, there is a good chance that Watson has given the Browns no chance to wait any longer by then, and Sanders would become the only viable option much sooner than Monken and the Browns would like.
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