Browns to Bench Deshaun Watson for Shedeur Sanders?

Browns to Bench Deshaun Watson for Shedeur Sanders?

The Cleveland Browns entered Week 1 believing Deshaun Watson gave them their best chance to win. After one game, it may already be time for Todd Monken to reconsider that decision.

Cleveland’s offense struggled from the beginning Sunday, falling behind early before suffering a 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Watson had difficulty generating consistent offense in his first regular-season appearance in 693 days, and the Browns were essentially out of the game by halftime.

Watson completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards with one touchdown and one interception while adding 38 rushing yards. Those final numbers look respectable, but they don’t tell the entire story.

Through three quarters, Watson had only 100 passing yards as Jacksonville built a commanding 34-3 advantage.

Cleveland trailed 24-0 at halftime after producing only five first downs over six possessions. The Browns also failed on all four of their third-down opportunities during the opening half.

Watson’s early interception didn’t help. After completing his first two passes and moving Cleveland into Jaguars territory, he was intercepted by linebacker Foye Oluokun. From there, Cleveland’s offense struggled to recover.

The Browns punted on their next two possessions, rookie receiver KC Concepcion lost a fumble and Cleveland punted again before halftime.

Monken refused to place all the blame on Watson afterward.

Todd Monken’s Postgame Comments Put Deshaun Watson on Notice

“It wasn’t all him,” Monken said, pointing toward play-calling, execution and Cleveland’s overall offensive operation as areas that needed improvement.

He’s right. The Browns committed six accepted offensive penalties, including two delay-of-game calls. Receivers, coaches, protection and pre-snap execution all contributed to an ugly afternoon.

But quarterback is different.

Watson is the player responsible for directing the offense, and Cleveland has another option waiting behind him in Shedeur Sanders.

In my opinion, Sanders should be the Browns’ starting quarterback moving forward. That isn’t because Watson deserves all the blame for Sunday’s loss. He doesn’t. It’s because Cleveland needs to determine what it has in Sanders, and the rookie offers something this offense desperately needs: a fresh start.

Monken chose Watson over Sanders following their training-camp competition, but Week 1 provided little evidence that Cleveland’s offense is moving in the right direction. Watson acknowledged his responsibility afterward, saying the Browns must find a rhythm and emphasizing that quarterbacks are expected to lead the offense and produce points.

The Browns scored only 10. Now Monken has a decision to make.

When asked whether Watson would remain the starter, Monken declined to commit, instead saying Cleveland would evaluate everything after reviewing the film. That answer alone makes the quarterback situation worth watching.

One bad performance shouldn’t automatically end a veteran quarterback’s opportunity, particularly after nearly two years away from regular-season action. But Cleveland can’t allow patience to become stubbornness.

Sanders doesn’t have to be perfect. Rookie quarterbacks rarely are. What he could provide is energy, mobility and an opportunity for Cleveland to begin developing a quarterback who could potentially become part of its future. Watson received the first opportunity.

After Cleveland’s disastrous Week 1 performance, I believe Sanders deserves the next one.