Browns' Todd Monken reveals Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders plan for Buccaneers game

Shortly after quarterback Deshaun Watson produced a dud of a performance for the Cleveland Browns in their 34-10 Week 1 loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon, first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken teased that he could bench Watson in favor of second-year pro Shedeur Sanders for Cleveland's Week 2 matchup at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 20. 

On Monday afternoon, Monken revealed an update that will likely upset pockets of Cleveland fans. 

Browns "anticipate" making this Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders decision for Week 2

Per Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand, Monken strongly suggested that Watson will remain Cleveland's starter for at least one more week. 

"I anticipate Deshaun will be our starter," Monken said about the Buccaneers game. 

Watson previously hadn't faced a live defense in a meaningful game since he suffered the first of two Achilles injuries on Oct. 20, 2024. According to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Watson completed 11 of 17 passes for just 100 yards with an interception through the first three quarters of the Jacksonville game. When the Browns were trailing the Jaguars by 31 points with under two minutes remaining in regulation, Watson threw a 46-yard touchdown pass. 

Per ESPN stats, Watson finished Sunday ranked 24th in the NFL out of 30 qualified players with a 34.5 adjusted QBR. 

Why Todd Monken is giving Deshaun Watson another chance

Grossi shared that Monken insisted the game film shows that Watson did "some really good things...things you can build on" against the Jaguars. 

"It confirmed it when I looked at the tape," Monken added. "We have to call it better and [Watson] has to play better."

The fact that Monken didn't strongly commit to starting Watson in and beyond Week 2 could lead one to believe the 30-year-old will be on a short leash at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium. Presumably, Monken could turn to Sanders either this coming Sunday afternoon or for Cleveland's home opener, a game against the Carolina Panthers, on Sept. 27.

Shortly after Monken finished his media availability on Monday, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Browns as 8.5-point road underdogs against the Buccaneers. While Watson seemingly is on track to start for Cleveland, Tampa Bay QB1 Baker Mayfield will almost certainly be looking for revenge against his former club in Week 2.