NFL Analyst Expects Browns to Bench Deshaun Watson for Shedeur Sanders in Week 3

NFL.com's Nick Shook expects the Cleveland Browns to bench Deshaun Watson for Shedeur Sanders in Week 3.

The Browns' 2026 home opener is in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers. Unless Watson plays well in Weeks 1 and 2, there is no way Todd Monken can start the veteran in the home opener. 

When Watson tore his Achilles in 2024, Browns fans cheered. Watson was also booed on 8/22 during Cleveland's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills and he wasn't happy about it. 

Browns fans will boo Watson in Week 3. That's why Monken must start Sanders for the home opener. 

Sanders finished his rookie season with 1,400 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 169 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He went 3-4 as a starter. 

Of the 50 quarterbacks with at least 15 starts since Watson joined the Browns in 2022, only Will Levis has a lower QBR. Watson has 3,365 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns with Cleveland. He's thrown 12 interceptions.

Almost every single Cleveland fan wanted Sanders to start because Watson has been horrendous since being traded to the Browns. He also dealt with off-the-field issues, as more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions.

The Browns play the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts this season. Cleveland will miss the playoffs again.

Here is what Monken should do: start Watson in Weeks 1 and 2. Bench him in Week 3 for Sanders, who will get a loud ovation from Browns fans in the home opener. Sanders either struggles or plays well for the rest of the season and then Cleveland can decide what it wants to do at QB in the offseason. 

Arch Manning and Dante Moore will enter the 2027 NFL Draft. The Browns need one of those guys unless Sanders turns into a superstar.