The Cleveland Browns have gone and done it, folks. In a move that’s shaking up the NFL wire this Monday morning, veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson has reportedly been named the starter for Week One of the 2026-27 regular season. This comes after an offseason-long quarterback battle that was the primary question mark for the franchise, pitting Watson against 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders. Despite Watson’s recent comments about fans booing him during Saturday’s preseason contest against the Buffalo Bills, head coach Todd Monken and his staff are ultimately rolling with the veteran to kick things off.
The “Full Body of Work” That Got Watson the Nod
NFL insider Albert Breer dished on the decision, claiming the choice boiled down to “the full body of work” over the offseason. Breer stated that “Deshaun Watson was better and more consistent over time before a tough day Saturday, and practiced well against the Bills on Thursday.” It seems consistency, or at least the perception of it, won out. Breer also dropped a significant hint about the team’s thinking, noting, “The other thing that I’ve said all along, it’s easier to go from Watson to Sanders than the other way around. If this doesn’t work, Cleveland can pivot.” That line tells you everything you need to know about the plan here, especially for a struggling organization that already saw the shocking trade of star pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason.
The Clock Is Already Ticking for Watson
While Sanders put up a strong showing in his start against the Bills last Saturday, the 24-year-old simply couldn’t lock down the starting role to begin the season. But don’t you dare think this means Sanders is out of the picture. Breer also mentioned that Sanders “took the news in stride this morning,” reportedly “smiling as it was emphasized to him that he play the long game here, said that he got it.” That’s a mature take from a second-year playmaker who knows his time is coming. Cleveland starts the season with a tough two-game road stint against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Watson struggles in those first two starts, there’s a good chance Monken and the organization could pivot to Sanders for the team’s home opener in Week Three against the Carolina Panthers. Get ready, Cleveland, because this QB situation is far from settled.
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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