Browns stick with Watson as starting quarterback

Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken has named Deshaun Watson the team's starting quarterback for the Sept. 13 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, ending a months-long competition with second-year pro Shedeur Sanders. The decision, confirmed by the team Monday, concludes a battle that extended through offseason workouts, training camp, and the preseason.

Monken informed both quarterbacks of the choice before announcing it to the media. "I took in the full body of work over the course of the offseason to training camp to the games, the joint practice, and ultimately felt like to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points," Monken said. He emphasized the decision was not a week-to-week consideration.

Watson, who joined the Browns in 2022 after a blockbuster trade from Houston, has started only 19 games for Cleveland, posting a 9-10 record with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He missed the entire 2025 season with a torn Achilles tendon. Owner Jimmy Haslam had previously called the trade that brought Watson to Cleveland a "big swing and miss."

Quarterback competition and preseason performance

Watson beat out Sanders, a fifth-round pick in 2025 who started seven games as a rookie, going 3-4 with seven touchdowns and ten interceptions. The announcement was met with skepticism from fans, many of whom have booed Watson during his time in Cleveland, a sentiment echoed across several reports. Sanders' media manager, Boog Knight, posted on social media about the decision, though he did not directly address the competition.

In the preseason, Watson completed 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards with no touchdowns and an interception over two games. Sanders completed 15 of 22 passes for 153 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The only touchdown of the second preseason game for the Browns came on a drive led by Sanders.

Watson's comments on fans stir controversy

The quarterback competition played out against the backdrop of fan discontent. Watson was booed during the Browns' 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, a game in which he completed 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and an interception. After the game, Watson said the boos were "personal" and "disrespectful," adding, "The whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance." He also referenced the reaction from fans when he tore his Achilles in 2024, saying, "That same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt."

Monken defended Watson's emotional response, saying, "He emptied his heart a little bit, and I don't think that says who he is." The coach said the comments did not influence his decision on the starting job.

Contract and future implications

Watson is in the final year of his contract, which voids after the 2026 season. Releasing him now would result in a $127 million dead salary cap charge, according to ESPN. The Browns have traded Myles Garrett and are projected to win only 5.5 games this season, according to oddsmakers. Sanders' rookie QBR of 18.9 would have ranked last among qualifying quarterbacks.

The Browns' opener in Jacksonville will be followed by a Week 2 home game against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.