Browns Reportedly Considering Deshaun Watson Over Shedeur Sanders as Week 1 Starter

New head coach Todd Monken said both QBs will have a fair shot, but some reporters are hearing Watson may get the nod.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:42pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fractured football game or quarterback competition, with sharp planes of orange, brown, and white representing the Browns' team colors and the overlapping perspectives of the players and coaches.The Browns' quarterback conundrum exposes the team's struggle to reconcile its past investments with an uncertain future.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly considering starting veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson over 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, despite new head coach Todd Monken's insistence that both players will have a legitimate opportunity to win the starting job this summer.

Why it matters

The decision to start Watson over Sanders would be a controversial one, as Watson has struggled since joining the Browns in 2022 and missed significant time due to injury, while Sanders showed promise as a rookie. This move could signal that the Browns organization does not fully believe in Sanders' long-term potential.

The details

According to Browns reporters Zac Jackson and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, there is 'talk' within the organization that Watson may be the Week 1 starter, even though Monken said both QBs will have a fair shot. Lloyd expressed skepticism about starting Watson, noting 'I see no upside in trotting Watson back out there' given his poor performance and injury history. Jackson added that 'playing Watson ahead of Shedeur Sanders feels like an admission to me that the organization doesn't feel Sanders is the one'.

  • In March 2022, the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson and signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.
  • In October 2024, Watson suffered a torn Achilles tendon and then reinjured it during his recovery.
  • In 2025, Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, was drafted by the Browns in the 2nd round.

The players

Deshaun Watson

A veteran quarterback who the Browns acquired in 2022 and signed to a lucrative contract, but has struggled with injuries and poor performance since joining the team.

Shedeur Sanders

A 2025 2nd round draft pick by the Browns, Shedeur is the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders and showed promise as a rookie, starting 7 games.

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, who has stated that both Watson and Sanders will have a fair shot at winning the starting QB job.

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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. I see no upside in trotting Watson back out there. What am I missing?”

— Jason Lloyd, Browns Reporter, The Athletic

“I've been hearing it, too — and I don't mean in these news conferences. I mean, going back two months during (and around) our standard offseason travels and activities. Lots of people think the Browns really believe they can still get something out of Watson. 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, Browns Reporter, The Athletic

What’s next

The Browns will make a decision on their Week 1 starting quarterback in the coming months, with training camp and the preseason likely determining whether Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders takes the first snap.

The takeaway

The Browns' decision to potentially start the injury-prone and underperforming Deshaun Watson over the promising young Shedeur Sanders raises questions about the organization's long-term vision and commitment to developing its younger talent. This move could further alienate Browns fans who have grown frustrated with the team's handling of the quarterback position.