The Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback for Week 1 of the NFL season, bypassing young passer Shedeur Sanders after a contested training camp. The decision arrives ahead of the upcoming campaign, raising immediate questions across the league regarding how the franchise will manage its offense.
Training Camp Battle and Preseason Snub
Throughout training camp, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders competed directly for the starting role under center. The competition yielded distinct deployment strategies during the preseason exhibition schedule. According to team usage reports, Watson earned the start in the opening preseason matchup against the Chicago Bears, while Sanders took the opening snaps in the second game against the Buffalo Bills.
Despite the competition, head coach Todd Monken ultimately tabbed Watson as the Week 1 starter. The choice drew scrutiny given Watson’s performance in that second preseason contest. Entering in relief of Sanders, the veteran quarterback completed 5 of 12 pass attempts for 35 yards and threw one interception across four second-half drives. That outing marked Watson’s first home game appearance since suffering a torn Achilles tendon in October 2024.
Crowd Reception and Coaching Perspective
When Watson took the field for his initial home action following his recovery, the 30-year-old quarterback was greeted with boos from portions of the home crowd. Addressing the reaction publicly, Watson suggested that the negative crowd response carried a personal element rather than stemming purely from his on-field performance.
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Coach Todd Monken addressed the quarterback’s remarks and confirmed that those comments did not sway the coaching staff’s evaluation or final depth chart decision. “He vented a little bit of his feelings, but I don’t think that reflects who he really is,” Monken said. “I see in him the competitive spirit. I see the commitment he puts in every day, and I know he wants to return. He wants to return to the level he was at, doing his best, and that is difficult.”
Watson’s Contract and Background with Cleveland
Acquired by the franchise in March 2022 from the Houston Texans, Watson signed a five-year, $230 milioni contract with Cleveland. That transaction followed civil accusations of sexual misconduct leveled against the quarterback by more than two dozen women. While two Texas grand juries declined to issue criminal indictments against Watson, the NFL levied an 11-game suspension, a $5 milioni fine, and mandated a professional evaluation and treatment program before he could debut for the Browns.
Injuries have severely limited Watson’s availability since his arrival in Ohio. Following two separate surgical procedures to repair a torn right Achilles tendon, Watson missed the entire 2025 campaign. Over four seasons with the organization, he has appeared in just 19 regular-season games.
What Lies Ahead for Cleveland
With the starting quarterback designation finalized, the Browns turn their preparation toward the opening week of the regular season. The team faces crucial evaluations as coaching staff members look to stabilize an offense featuring both an established, high-salary veteran returning from major injury and an intriguing young option in Sanders who flashed potential late in his rookie campaign.
Official injury updates, final 53-man roster cuts, and initial game-week depth charts released by the team office will provide the next clear checkpoint as Cleveland approaches its regular-season opener.
