Browns To Name Deshaun Watson Starting QB

Watson has won the competition against Shedeur Sanders, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Sanders will handle backup duties heading into the regular season as a result. Monken said yesterday (via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com) neither Watson nor Sanders will play in the team’s final preseason contest.

During his time on the field in Cleveland’s second exhibition game – and his first at home since a 2024 Achilles tear – Watson was booed by several Browns fans. When speaking after the contest, Watson openly acknowledged the “personal” nature of the reception he received from the fan base and remarked he may need to approach the coming season as containing 17 road games. Cleveland’s first two games will indeed be away from home, and it will be Watson tasked with leading the way on offense.

2026 represents the final year of Watson’s infamous fully-guaranteed contract. A release during the life of the deal has never been feasible in his case due to the cap implications of cutting bait, and several restructures have been executed to create immediate cap relief while adding void years to the pact. Watson is on track for a post-June 1 release to spread out the considerable dead money charges the Browns will face upon ending their tenure with the former Pro Bowler.

Cleveland won a bidding war for Watson, swinging a trade with the Texans highlighted by three first-round picks prior to authorizing the $230MM commitment. That move has not panned out, to say the least. Watson opened his Cleveland stint while serving a suspension stemming from his personal conduct policy violation over alleged sexual misconduct with dozens of massage therapists. No criminal charges came to pass in his case, while Watson has settled civil suits with each of his accusers. Nevertheless, the lingering impact on his reputation and standing amongst Browns fans has been evident.

Monken made it clear in the time leading up to today’s news that Watson’s post-game comments about feeling disrespected would not have an impact on his QB1 decision. Many outside observers felt Cleveland would in fact need to weigh this situation and give the nod to Sanders while leaving Watson sidelined as confirmation of the team all-but officially moving on. Instead, the more experienced signal-caller (31 in September) will begin 2026 atop the depth chart.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam – whose level of involvement in the Watson acquisition has long been a talking point – publicly labeled the trade and subsequent extension a “big swing and miss” last April. More recently, though, he left the door open to a competition resulting in Watson getting the nod as a means of potentially recouping some value from the former first-rounder after a thoroughly underwhelming tenure to date. Injuries (including a second Achilles tear) have further limited Watson to just 19 games as a member of the Browns so far.

Sanders lasted until the fifth round of last year’s draft, and he found himself buried on Cleveland’s depth chart. The Colorado product found took over QB1 duties midway through the campaign, however, and he made seven starts to close out the year. Monken has issued praise for Sanders’ work over the course of the offseason, one which has seen Cleveland continue rotating quarterbacks in terms of first-term reps. Monken allowed Watson, then Sanders, to each start a preseason game before making a call for Week 1.

Per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Sanders took today’s news “in stride” and is focused on his long-term NFL outlook. With three seasons remaining on his rookie contract, there is plenty of time for another spell atop the depth chart in his case. At least some time with Watson at the helm to begin 2026 will now take place, though.