Browns To Start QB Shedeur Sanders In Week 9

Watson is questionable for the game but has not yet cleared protocol. Sanders saw the more experienced player establish momentum in Monken’s offense this offseason, leading the 2025 fifth-round pick back to the bench. Watson returned to practice, in a limited capacity, Friday but will defer to the younger option for at least one game.

Although Dillon Gabriel hovered on the periphery of Cleveland’s quarterback competition this offseason, Sanders was Watson’s primary challenger for the gig. Despite some early momentum, it became clear Sanders was not deemed the fit for Monken’s offense Watson was. After seven starts last season — with Watson out of the picture due to two Achilles tears — Sanders will see action for a Browns team that has made a surprising early-season push into contention.

Watson’s comments about the boos directed toward him by Browns fans in the preseason, preceding an ugly Week 1 showing in Jacksonville, put Sanders on the radar to reclaim the job. But Monken stuck with the embattled starter. Watson has led the Browns to a 5-3 record, and while he appears far removed from his Texans prime, the 10th-year passer staved off any real threat from Sanders. But a concussion sustained during a loss in Pittsburgh will adjust Cleveland’s plan.

Sanders was 3-4 as a starter last season, throwing seven touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. The Colorado product averaged 6.6 yards per attempt and completed only 56.6% of his passes. The Pro Bowl’s previous alternate system — since scrapped, as the game will no longer be played; alternates are now out of the equation — gave Sanders a scrutinized invite to last season’s all-star event.

The Browns had been connected to the 2026 QB class, having an extra first-round pick from the Jaguars’ Travis Hunter trade-up, but Andrew Berry did not draft a passer. Instead, Watson simply beat out Sanders after missing 1 1/2 seasons. Sanders has been an afterthought since Watson’s rough debut in Jacksonville. That will change Sunday, with the two-year Colorado starter — who hired an agent last month, with a trade push rumored in connection with that decision — back in the fold. If/when Watson is ruled out, Gabriel would move into backup position.