With a decision coming soon, who deserves to be the Browns' starting QB?

Todd Monken will finally end the Cleveland Browns’ prolonged quarterback competition. The first-year head coach plans to announce Monday whether Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson will start the regular-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

After watching each player start a preseason game, Monken no longer has much reason to extend the process.

“I anticipate naming the starter tomorrow,” Monken said Sunday, according to the Browns’ official website.

Todd Monken cannot ignore what happened against Buffalo

Sanders received his opportunity to start Saturday against the Buffalo Bills and completed his first eight passes. He finished 9-of-11 for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Cleveland’s 31-7 loss.

His touchdown capped an 11-play opening drive and briefly tied the game. The interception came when Sanders threw behind his intended receiver, allowing the pass to be tipped and intercepted by Damar Hamlin.

It was not an overwhelming performance. It was considerably better than what Cleveland received from Watson.

Watson completed five of 12 passes for 35 yards and an interception after replacing Sanders in the second half. He finished with a 14.6 passer rating and failed to lead a scoring drive. Cleveland fans booed him repeatedly, prompting Watson to call their reaction “disrespectful” and “personal” following the game.

Monken said those comments will not influence his decision.

That is the proper response from a head coach. Watson should not lose the competition because fans booed him or because he criticized them afterward. He should lose it because Sanders has given Cleveland the better chance to move forward.

Browns have little to gain by choosing Deshaun Watson

Watson entered camp as the more experienced quarterback. He also entered it attempting to revive a career that has shown few signs of recovery since Cleveland acquired him in 2022.

The Browns have already paid dearly for that trade. Starting Watson now will not recover the draft picks, erase his guaranteed contract or restore the quarterback he was with the Houston Texans.

Cleveland must evaluate what each player can offer in 2026 and beyond.

Watson has started only 19 games for the Browns since the trade. He missed the entire 2025 season after suffering two Achilles injuries and has not completed a full season since 2020. His preseason performance against Buffalo did little to suggest another comeback is imminent.

Sanders remains inconsistent. His rookie season included seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 56.6 percent completion rate. Those numbers do not guarantee he will become Cleveland’s long-term answer.

However, the Browns still need to determine whether Sanders can develop into one. Starting Watson only postpones that evaluation while committing the offense to a quarterback whose best football came six years ago.

Shedeur Sanders has earned the first opportunity

Sanders did not dominate the competition. Watson simply failed to take it from him.

The veteran produced the better statistical performance against Chicago, completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards. Sanders responded by handling the starting assignment more effectively against Buffalo while showing improved command of the offense.

Monken praised that progress after the game.

“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.”

Cleveland does not need to declare Sanders its franchise quarterback Monday. It only needs to admit he has earned the first opportunity.

If Sanders struggles, Watson remains available. Choosing Watson first would force the Browns to wait for another failure before turning toward the younger quarterback anyway.

Monken’s decision should be based on performance, development and the direction of the franchise. All three point toward Sanders.