As speculation continues mounting over exactly how Cleveland will ultimately decide between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, Andrew Berry addressed one of the more persistent theories circulating among fans and media alike during a recent appearance on the Deebo and Joe podcast. With Watson’s substantial contract often cited as a potential factor working in his favor, Berry made clear during his conversation with James Harrison and Joe Haden that financial considerations have no bearing whatsoever on how this competition will actually be decided.
“It doesn’t matter what they’re paid when they’re on the field. What we want are wins, performance, and production. There are going to be high salary players that could be outperformed by low salary players. That’s particularly important at the most important position in sports, which is quarterback. It’s a performance based decision. The contract does not matter. We’re pleased with both guys. I think they both had a nice preseason, and they did some good things in the game this weekend. Ultimately, it’s performance and production. That’s going to drive the decision for Todd Monken,” Berry said.
Watson delivered a clean, efficient performance against Chicago, finishing 11-15 without a turnover attributable to his own play, while Sanders has continued building positive momentum of his own, including a three touchdown, turnover free practice performance on Monday.
The timing of Berry’s comments also matters given recent reporting from national analysts like Jeremy Fowler, who suggested Cleveland could name its starter shortly after this coming Saturday’s contest against the Bills.
Watson and Sanders both head into this stretch knowing exactly what stands between them and the job: nothing tied to salary, draft status, or reputation, just whatever each of them puts on tape over the next several days. For a competition that has generated debate over rep counts, contracts, and outside perception all summer long, that kind of clarity may be exactly what both quarterbacks needed heading into the most consequential week of the entire camp.
NEXT: Shedeur Sanders Has Big Day In Training Camp On Monday
