The Cleveland Browns are getting slammed for naming Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders.
Head coach Todd Monken and the Cleveland Browns have named Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback for the 2026 season, ahead of Shedeur Sanders.
This was a surprising decision after Watson's comments following the preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
"It has nothing to do about the performance. It's a little bit personal than that. It's a disrespectful thing," Watson said about Browns fans booing him. "Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fan base cheered when I got hurt."
Watson apologized for his comments on Monday, stating, "My emotions got the best of me. My comments weren't intending to go at any of the fans in the city."
Beyond his comments, it was a shock that Watson was named the starter after Sanders outplayed him in the second preseason game. Watson completed five of 12 passes for 36 yards, zero touchdowns, with an interception, while Sanders completed nine of 11 passes for 74 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
Despite Sanders being a young player who deserved a shot to prove he could be the long-term starter, the Browns opted to go with Watson.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect"You don't want him as a backup," ESPN analyst Kyle Brandt said. "And I don't think anybody on the team wants Deshaun Watson as a starter. Including Deshaun. You don't openly engage and antagonize the fanbase after another crap performance a couple weeks before the opener if you actually want the starting job."
Cleveland acquired Watson in a blockbuster trade in 2022 that sent an abundance of draft capital to the Houston Texans, including three first-round picks. The Browns then gave Watson a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. The 30-year-old is now entering his final year with Cleveland, with multiple void years.
"Browns fans should not go to games," ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said.
Watson's tenure with the Browns has been headlined by off-the-field controversy and injuries. Watson last appeared in the 2024 season, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 148 yards and a touchdown.
The last time he played as one of the best quarterbacks in the league was in the 2020 season with the Texans, completing 70.2 percent of his passes for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, along with 444 yards and three touchdowns.
Cleveland will hope Watson can return to that level of play, because if he doesn't, Browns fans and the media will continue to scrutinize this decision.
