Former All-Pro teammate explains why Browns' Shedeur Sanders lost QB1 job to Deshaun Watson

The biggest Cleveland Browns-related story of the summer involved veteran Deshaun Watson winning the competition for the team's starting quarterback job over second-year pro Shedeur Sanders in August. 

Retired All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio has experience blocking for both signal-callers. During an appearance on the latest edition of the "Bearded Browns" podcast, Bitonio seemed to explain why Watson is getting the start for Cleveland's regular-season opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13.

Deshaun Watson better than Shedeur Sanders "at the little things"

"I thought we saw in the preseason his development from last year," Bitonio said about Sanders, per J.R. DeGroote of Heavy. "I thought he looked, to me, significantly better. But if you look at the little things, like time to throw and pocket awareness and just — the guys get open, and he makes a big play when they’re open, but there’s a little bit of just, like, anticipation and time to throw."

After first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken confirmed that Watson was the team's QB1, Monken said that he felt Watson gives the Browns "the best chance to move the ball and score points" at Jacksonville. Subsequent reports noted that Sanders lacked "in the operational details that never show up in a clip shared on social media" during the summer. Sanders also allegedly "struggled with the most basic parts of being an NFL quarterback — the operational side of calling the play in the huddle, breaking the huddle quickly, getting guys lined up, speaking a cadence loudly and clearly enough for his linemen to hear him." 

"As a lineman, it sucks, but if you’re taking over three seconds to throw in the league, like, I don’t care if you have five [versions of Hall of Famer Joe Thomas] in front of you. It is tough to handle," Bitonio added. 

"People in the know" have thoughts on Browns' Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders decision

During a Thursday appearance on Cleveland sports radio station 92.3 The Fan, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated revealed that he has spoken with people around the league about the Browns' QB1 decision. 

"I can't think of too many people in the know who don't think he's the best option," Breer said about Watson. "Like, people who have actually seen it, people who are in the Browns' building, people who have coached against them this summer. I can't find too many people who don't think Deshaun is the best answer right now."

It remains to be seen if "right now" will last beyond Cleveland's Week 2 matchup at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 20.