During his introductory press conference, new Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken declared that he would hold an open competition to decide the starting quarterback for this season. From that moment, there was going to be a chance that Deshaun Watson could get the job.
Even with a background of sexual assault allegations, multiple injuries, and terrible play, that situation has now become reality. Monken named Watson the starter on Monday, two days after the QB was booed by the home fans during a preseason game, and he criticized him afterward.
It also leaves Shedeur Sanders on the outside looking in. The people’s choice will be the backup, and fans will be champing at the bit for him to get on the field, in much the same way they did last season when he was a rookie.
Insider Jason Lloyd revealed why he’s “stunned” but not surprised by the Browns’ QB decision, because as long as Watson was involved, he was going to emerge as the unpopular choice.
“Stunned and yet not at all surprised because I’ve thought since March that Deshaun was gonna win this job. Stunned that we’re right back here. How are we possibly right back here all of these years later? He hasn’t been good for a number of years. Part of me is just stunned that we’re right back in this position, and yet I’m not at all surprised because I’ve thought since March that this is how it’s gonna go,” Lloyd said.
"Stunned and yet not at all surprised. Stunned that we're right back here…(Shedeur) should probably be playing (in Thursday's game). He should probably start the game…he's the backup QB…and he clearly needs the reps."
➡️ @ByJasonLloyd w/ @KenCarman and @SportsBoyTony on… pic.twitter.com/wsMI2eLARf
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 25, 2026
Watson has played in just 19 of 68 games for the Browns since arriving in a trade with the Houston Texans before the 2022 season. In those appearances, he would have the worst QBR among active quarterbacks had he made enough starts to qualify.
He did not show that he’s any better throwing a collection of short passes in his first action since October 2024 in two preseason appearances. Despite that, Watson will not play in the preseason finale against the New England Patriots on Thursday. That will be primarily to avoid injury, but it also won’t put him in front of what is sure to be another hostile home crowd.
Interestingly, Sanders won’t play against the Patriots either, even though it was said his lack of command of the offense is one of the reasons he did not get the starting job. Yet, the Browns won’t give him more live reps to get better at that.
Of course, if Sanders did get to play and was excellent, the Browns would take even more heat about this QB1 decision than they already have.
NEXT: Former NFL GM Questions Browns' Decision To Start Deshaun Watson
