The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback battle, the one everyone in the league has been watching, just kicked off in the preseason, and if this is what we’re getting, Browns fans have every right to be absolutely panicking. In their crushing 34-10 loss to the Bears in Chicago, both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders got the majority of the reps, and let’s just say the performance left a whole lot to be desired.
Watson’s Horrendous $230 Million Season is Looming
Let’s just say Deshaun Watson didn’t exactly calm any nerves. The dude played the entire first half, going 11 of 15 for 126 yards. Sounds okay, right? Maybe on paper, but the reality hit hard when he got sacked once, fumbling the ball, and only managed four yards on three scrambles. Head coach Todd Monken even played it safe, keeping the ball out of his hands on the first possession, running Quinshon Judkins three straight times for a swift three-and-out.
But here’s the kicker: Watson’s been an absolute disaster since the Browns traded for him four years ago. They handed him a mind-boggling five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal, and what have they gotten? The worst completion percentage, yards per attempt, and TD-INT ratio in the NFL since he left the Texans. Get this: it’s been *more than 2,000 days* since Watson last threw for 300 yards in an NFL game. Seriously? Retired legend Tom Brady has 14 300-yard games since Watson’s last one. Now, he’s got just one year left on that monster contract, and he hasn’t even played in a regular-season game since October 20, 2024, thanks to two torn Achilles. He did lead a field goal drive, hitting Jerry Jeudy for 14 yards and rookie Denzel Boston for 15 on a crucial third-and-5. That drive should have been more if Harold Fannin Jr. hadn’t dropped an easy third-down conversion. He also put together a 10-play, 81-yard touchdown drive ending in a 14-yard end-around from rookie KC Concepcion, sparked by Dylan Sampson’s impressive 43-yard reception. But even after those brief flashes, the afternoon ended on a sour note with that strip sack. “OK” just isn’t cutting it for that kind of money.
Shedeur Sanders’ Interception Woes Are Getting Hard to Ignore
Shedeur Sanders, on the other hand, *did* spark some optimism last year after Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel got benched. He actually won three of Cleveland’s five games and even made the Pro Bowl as an alternate. That’s a decent start, right? The flip side? His 10 interceptions since his Week 11 NFL debut were the absolute most in the entire NFL, and his 57% completion percentage ranked second-worst. You just can’t win like that consistently.
Coming out of college, the big knocks on Sanders were holding onto the ball too long and a slow throwing operation. Those issues? They absolutely showed up in his rookie season. And in this preseason opener? He threw an “ugly interception on his third and final drive.” That’s just not the kind of clean play you want from a guy trying to prove he’s the answer. The potential is there, but the mistakes are glaring.
So, here’s the deal: The Browns are tied to a massive contract with a quarterback who can’t stay on the field and hasn’t played like a star in years. Then you’ve got a young gun who shows flashes of brilliance but absolutely cannot stop throwing picks. With the regular season quickly approaching, this isn’t just a preseason exhibition; it’s a monumental decision for Cleveland. They need to figure out who is going to lead this team. Honestly, after this ugly opener, neither guy looks ready to truly take the reins and light it up. The stakes are incredibly high, and they need clear answers, fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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