Browns Insiders Slam Team's Rumored Plan to Start Deshaun Watson Over Shedeur Sanders

Critics call the potential decision 'the definition of insanity' for the struggling franchise.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:41pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes representing a football game or quarterback competition, conveying the complexity and uncertainty surrounding the Browns' quarterback situation.Analysts warn that starting the veteran Deshaun Watson over the rookie Shedeur Sanders would be a step backwards for the Browns' long-term quarterback plans.Cleveland Today

Browns insiders have heavily criticized rumored plans by the team to start veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson over promising rookie Shedeur Sanders in the 2026 season. The analysts argue that playing Watson, who has faced off-field issues, over the younger Sanders would be a major mistake that does nothing to address the franchise's long-term quarterback woes.

Why it matters

The Browns have struggled mightily at the quarterback position in recent seasons, ranking last in the league in offensive impact metrics in 2025. Choosing the experienced but troubled Watson over the unproven but promising Sanders would signal the team is not committed to a long-term solution at the position and could further alienate frustrated Browns fans.

The details

According to reports, there have been internal discussions within the Browns organization about starting Watson, who sat out the 2021 season due to off-field legal issues, over Sanders, the team's 2025 second-round draft pick. Analysts Jason Lloyd and Zac Jackson of The Athletic strongly criticized this potential decision, with Jackson calling it 'the definition of insanity' that would not help the team achieve its long-term goals.

  • In the 2025 NFL season, the Browns ranked last (32nd) in offensive impact metrics.
  • The Browns' quarterback situation has been in flux for multiple seasons.

The players

Deshaun Watson

A veteran quarterback who sat out the 2021 NFL season due to off-field legal issues and is now being considered by the Browns as their potential starting QB for 2026.

Shedeur Sanders

The Browns' 2025 second-round draft pick at quarterback, who showed promise as a rookie but is now at risk of being passed over for the starting job in favor of the more experienced but troubled Watson.

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What they’re saying

“No matter how fast I run from it, I still keep hearing talk of Deshaun Watson actually running out on the field as the Game 1 starter. Zac, I see no upside in trotting Watson back out there. What am I missing?”

— Jason Lloyd, NFL Insider

“I call that the definition of insanity, and even if Watson stays healthy and plays OK for a month or so, how does that help the franchise achieve any of its real long-term goals?”

— Zac Jackson, NFL Insider

What’s next

The Browns will need to make a decision on their starting quarterback for the 2026 season in the coming months, with the choice between the veteran Watson and the promising rookie Sanders being a key factor in determining the team's direction.

The takeaway

The Browns' quarterback situation remains in flux, and the potential decision to start the experienced but troubled Deshaun Watson over the unproven but promising Shedeur Sanders has been heavily criticized by insiders as a move that would do nothing to address the team's long-term needs at the position and could further alienate frustrated fans.