Shedeur Sanders Just Changed the Browns’ Quarterback Plans

A weather delay kept Shedeur Sanders waiting for his first preseason start Saturday. The bigger question now is whether the Cleveland Browns will keep him waiting for the starting quarterback job.

Sanders provided one of the few offensive bright spots in Cleveland’s 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, directing the Browns’ only touchdown drive while continuing to challenge Deshaun Watson in the race for QB1.

After lightning delayed the start, Sanders handled four meaningful possessions. His afternoon included a touchdown pass and an interception, giving Cleveland’s coaching staff both encouraging tape and areas that still need improvement.

For coach Todd Monken, the progress Sanders has made since the offseason stood out more than any single play.

“There’s a lot there to like,” Monken said. “He plays with a certain amount of confidence. He has gotten a lot better at getting rid of the ball. Certainly, he wants to make a play.” https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-todd-monken-not-ready-name-starting-qb-shedeur-sanders-deshaun-watson-boos

Monken added that he was “really proud” of Sanders and called his development “very impressive.”

Deshaun Watson Hears Boos As Sanders Makes Strong Push For Browns QB1

Those comments came on an afternoon when Cleveland’s quarterback competition appeared to tighten.

Watson made his first appearance at Huntington Bank Field since suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in 2024. His return didn’t produce the type of performance Cleveland was hoping to see.

Watson finished 5-of-12 passing for 36 yards with an interception. That works out to a 41.7% completion rate and just 3.0 yards per attempt. Cleveland failed to score on any of his possessions.

The home crowd responded with boos, creating another uncomfortable chapter in Watson’s tenure with the Browns.

Monken didn’t place Cleveland’s second-half offensive struggles entirely on his veteran quarterback, instead pointing toward the unit’s inability to consistently stay ahead of the chains.

Still, his message about the crowd reaction was straightforward. “You don’t want to get booed? Play good football,” Monken said.

Watson said afterward that he believed the reaction was more personal than performance-based, referencing the crowd response when he suffered his Achilles injury.

Sanders, despite competing directly with Watson, came to his teammate’s defense. He said during the broadcast that he didn’t “respect” fans booing Watson.

That moment offered another glimpse into Sanders’ approach to the competition. While the quarterbacks are fighting for the same job, Sanders has avoided publicly turning the situation into a personal rivalry.

The decision ultimately will come down to football.

Sanders wasn’t flawless Saturday. His interception prevented him from putting together the type of clean performance that could have made the quarterback decision easier. But he did something Watson couldn’t: put Cleveland in the end zone.

That matters with the regular season drawing closer.

Sanders entered the NFL with questions about how quickly his game would translate, particularly his tendency to hold onto the football while searching for bigger plays. Monken’s praise of his improved ability to get the ball out suggests Cleveland has seen progress in one of the most important areas of his development.

Watson, meanwhile, must prove he can rediscover his rhythm after another lengthy injury absence.

Cleveland’s 24-point preseason defeat won’t matter once the regular season begins. The quarterback decision will. After Saturday, Sanders made sure the Browns’ coaching staff has a much more difficult one to make.