Todd Monken officially named Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns this week in a decision that certainly doesn’t sit right with many of the fans. When reading between the lines over the past few months, it was quite obvious this was going to be the end result of the quarterback competition, and hopefully for the team’s sake Watson can rediscover the ability that made him such a dynamic superstar many years ago.
It’s a tough turn of events for Shedeur Sanders, who made this a real competition due to his notable improvements this offseason. Given the fact that Watson has made just 19 starts since 2020, Sanders has to stay ready because his number could still be called at any moment this season.
Fellow former backup quarterback Brady Quinn knows a thing or two about being in this situation. As a former Brown himself, he recently offered some advice to Shedeur during an appearance on The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima on 92.3 The Fan.
“Just try to be seldom seen. You don’t want to be a distraction. The quarterback competition, in general, is always a distraction. You just gotta do all you can to try to be a guy that’s helping the team and allow yourself to operate the way you would want the backup to operate if you’re the guy. If that transition does happen, you don’t want Deshaun to be a distraction to you,” Quinn said.
"You don't want to be a distraction. The QB competition, in general, is always a distraction. Allow yourself to operate the way you would want the backup to operate if you're the guy."
➡️ @Brady_Quinn w/ @KenCarman and @SportsBoyTony on what #Browns need from Shedeur Sanders… pic.twitter.com/4ab1kcYAKm
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 27, 2026
Some more time on the bench could do Sanders some good since it’s clear he still has things to work on in order to become a legitimate starter in this league. Greg Cosell believes timing and anticipation need to become big strengths of his in order to take that next step, and from watching the last two preseason games, most would agree with that assessment.
As for what Quinn said about being a distraction, Sanders hasn’t been one and didn’t have an issue with that during his time as a backup last season. The distracting part mostly came from the media publicly pushing for him to start, but due to his last name, he is always going to stir up some attention in that way.
Watson is the distraction for many other legitimate reasons. If he winds up getting benched for Sanders, it’s possible the Browns would find a way to just get him out of here so he doesn’t become a distraction, but that’s a problem for another day.
All Sanders needs to focus on now is putting his head down and getting to work. His number will be called again and he has to be ready, because it could be his last shot in Cleveland with the 2027 draft looming.
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