Cleveland just dropped the bombshell: Deshaun Watson is their Week 1 starter. But here is the kicker: the club is already wrestling with how much cushion he actually has for the season, even before kickoff against the Jaguars. It seems like the “tenuous reality” for Watson has kicked in before the regular season even begins.
The Boos, The Coach, and The Tough Call
This whole situation has been wild. Just last Saturday, after a crushing 31-7 loss, Watson actually booed the fans who were booing him. He told reporters that the fan reaction had “nothing to do with the performance.” Talk about a statement! That quote left a ton to unpack, especially with the Browns naming him starter for their September 13 opener in Jacksonville just a couple days later. Head coach Todd Monken had a tough choice, and multiple sources say the decision to go with Watson over 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders was far from a landslide. One person with knowledge of the team’s thinking put it bluntly, saying the club cannot be “emotionally hijacked” and needs to make “sound, right football decision[s].” So, while Watson might think it is not about performance, the team is definitely making decisions based on who gives them the “best chance to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
What Made the Difference Between Watson and Sanders?
The decision was not about who is simply “good” or “bad.” It truly came down to what Monken and his staff valued in their starting quarterback. Watson brings 72 career starts to the table. He is athletic, good pre-snap, and excels in “nuances” like a silent count, which is huge on the road. Sanders, on the other hand, is accurate, super poised in the pocket, and a good drop-back passer. He can create plays with his legs, but they are not planning designed quarterback runs for him. With only seven starts under his belt, it seems Monken leaned on Watson’s experience and ability to run the operation flawlessly in a hostile environment.
So, Watson gets the nod against Jacksonville for Week 1. Coach Monken emphasized it is “not a week-to-week decision” and that they are “ultimately, we’re about Week 1.” But even with that vote of confidence, the Browns are already asking themselves what it would take for an eventual change at the position. This is a situation fans need to watch closely from the jump.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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