On the surface, the decision has been difficult for some Browns fans to understand. Sanders showed flashes of the talent that made him one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, while Watson’s performances did not necessarily separate him from Shedeur.

However, prestigious reported Mary Kay Cabot has provided more context on why head coach Todd Monken ultimately favored Watson. According to her information, the explanation may have much more to do with what happened away from the field than what fans saw during preseason games.

What happened behind the scenes with Shedeur Sanders?

Mary Kay Cabot explained that Todd Monken has repeatedly emphasized that Shedeur Sanders still has a learning curve to navigate, particularly when it comes to mastering the Browns’ offensive system.

“Todd has been trying to tell us over and over and over again that Shedeur still needs to come up the learning curve on that kind of stuff. Todd does not like what he calls crappy football. And it’s not that Shedeur would play crappy football, but you have to have a certain amount of comfortability with the system, with the scheme to be able to run the show.”

That explanation provides an important distinction. The decision does not necessarily mean that Watson has been dramatically better than Sanders physically or that Shedeur failed to impress during preseason action.

Instead, Monken appears to be prioritizing operational consistency and familiarity with the offensive system, elements that are much harder for fans to evaluate from game highlights.

Why did Todd Monken choose Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders?

According to Mary Kay Cabot, some of the most important evidence behind the decision happened away from the spotlight. The Browns’ evaluation included what “happened in meeting rooms,” “in walkthroughs” and “in the operational details that never show up in a clip shared on social media.”

That could explain why Sanders’ strong preseason performances were not enough to win the job. A quarterback can make impressive throws and show good decision-making during limited game action while still having areas to improve when it comes to running an entire NFL offense.

For Monken, that distinction appears to have been decisive. The Browns’ head coach needs a quarterback who can operate the scheme with enough confidence and consistency to execute the entire game plan, not simply make impressive plays when given an opportunity.

Watson’s experience gives him an obvious advantage in that area. Despite the controversy surrounding his tenure in Cleveland and his inconsistent play since joining the team, he has considerably more NFL experience than Sanders.

Shedeur Sanders still has a path to the Browns QB1 job

The decision does not necessarily close the door on Sanders becoming Cleveland’s quarterback in the future. If anything, the explanation from Cabot suggests that his path to the starting job could depend on how quickly he closes the gap in his understanding of Monken’s offense.

That could be particularly important if Watson struggles once the regular season begins. The Browns have already seen enough from Sanders to know that he has the physical ability to compete, but Shedeur now has to demonstrate that he can consistently operate the offense at the level Monken expects.

For fans who believed Sanders clearly outplayed Watson in the preseason, the explanation may be frustrating. But preseason statistics and highlights only reveal part of the evaluation process.

For now, Watson has won the competition. But if Sanders continues learning the system and proves he can “run the show” without the operational mistakes Monken wants to avoid, he could eventually get another opportunity to change the Browns’ decision.

“Just like their playoff hopes it ended early before it even started,” the former Pittsburgh Steelers signal-caller said on Footbahlin. For Big Ben, it seems the ideal choice would have been Shedeur Sanders to start in Week 1.

The decision to have Watson start the season in the Dawg Pound is based on his experience, as well as the fact that the Browns will play their first two games on the road. Can No. 4 silence the criticism and change the opinions of fans and his peers?

Watson’s first challenges

Playing away from Huntington Bank Stadium could prove beneficial for Deshaun Watson, who was booed by his own fans during the preseason. That will be the case in the first two games, as the Browns travel to South Florida for their opening challenges.

Watson’s team will make its debut on September 13 at EverBank Stadium against Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Seven days later, the Browns will head to Raymond James Stadium to face the always-tough Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Roethlisberger’s history against the Browns

Ben Roethlisberger practically owned the Cleveland Browns during his 18-year run with the Pittsburgh Steelers, racking up a dominant 26–2–1 record against his AFC North rivals. Big Ben turned Cleveland into his second home, going 11–2–1 on the road and wrapping up his career with more wins in Cleveland than almost any Browns quarterback in that era.

For nearly two decades, whenever Pittsburgh lined up against the Browns with Roethlisberger under center, a win was almost a foregone conclusion. This historic rivalry made the quarterback one of the winningest players in head-to-head matchups in the AFC.

The coach revealed that Gabriel will start against the New England Patriots: “I’m excited for Dillon and seeing Taylen. We went through the first couple of games, the way we went about it, Taylen did a great job over the course of time with limited reps and going against the Bills, really executing our offense at a high level. So, I’m excited to get him out there and see him play.”

It’s time for the former Oregon Ducks quarterback to prove that his left arm is up to the task. While his chances of taking over for Sanders are slim, any setback throughout the season could influence the coaching staff’s decisions.

Taylen Green’s situation is somewhat easier to assess. His rookie season will be about gaining experience, surrounding himself with more seasoned NFL players, and potentially seeing some snaps at some point during the season if the situation calls for it.

The Browns’ final test

The 2026 NFL preseason has so far brought two tough losses for the Browns, who are undergoing a constant rebuilding process. Their preseason opener ended in a 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears, followed by the same outcome one week later, this time against the Buffalo Bills in a 31-7 defeat.

Huntington Bank Stadium will be the stage for Todd Monken’s team’s final test, as it hosts the New England Patriots. There, the head coach and his staff will draw their final conclusions ahead of the start of the upcoming season.

Green earned his coach’s recognition

Green was selected with the 182nd overall pick in the sixth round of the latest draft out of the Arkansas Razorbacks. While his chances of seeing the field this season are low, Todd Monken made it clear that they are very happy to have acquired his services.

“First of all, he’s so damn smart,” the HC said. “That dude is smart as heck to go out there and function, we hardly give him any reps. I love that dude. It’s just hard. We have four guys. It’s hard to give them all reps. We’ve got him on the perimeter one time, which is what you’ve got to do down there in the red zone, but all he does is work, always has a smile on his face. I’m happy we got him. But it’s hard to fit him in with the reps and rep count we have.”

Cleveland’s debut

The Cleveland Browns will open the upcoming season on the road. Their debut will take place at EverBank Stadium on September 13, when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars.

That’s exactly what happened after Watson called out Browns fans who booed him during the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field. Thus, shortly after the Browns announced their decision for the upcoming NFL campaign, the three-time Pro Bowler delivered a sincere statement. Being a starting quarterback in the league is difficult enough as it is, and Watson won’t add to the challenge by becoming a public enemy of Cleveland’s fanbase as well.

“First off, I want to address my comments from Saturday after the game. I think just human nature, myself being very emotional, putting in a lot of time these last two years to get back and spend time in this facility, in this city, I thought I was going to get a little different response. I think my emotions got the best of me,” Watson stated during his media availability on Monday.

“My comments weren’t attending to go at any of the fans in the city. Because there’s been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me. I know the frustration this organization has put up [with]. Again, I understand the frustration. Moving forward I just want to focus on football. I thrive off the energy of the fans and community. My emotions got the best of me, I’m human, and I take full responsibility of that.”

Watson will start the season on the road

While most players will agree that playing at home is always advantageous, Watson might actually be relieved that his first two starts of the season will come on the road. The Browns will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both on the road in the Sunshine State.

For the veteran quarterback with a lot to prove, it may be a blessing in disguise. At home, the fans are unforgiving and will waste no time calling for Sanders to take over as soon as the offense under Watson’s supervision stalls or turns the ball over.

Watson’s first starts in 2026

Playing on the road means facing adversity and a hostile environment, but not the murmurs in the stands every time the offense steps on or off the field. If Watson can change the tide in his first two starts, by the time he is back in Cleveland for Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, he might have less weight on his shoulders.

If he struggles, however, it will make for an even more hostile welcome in the home opener. Who knows? Maybe Watson doesn’t even make it to Week 3 as the Browns’ starting quarterback. It seems unlikely that head coach Todd Monken would go to such an extreme, unless Watson puts up historically bad numbers. Regardless, that home game against the Panthers could very well be Watson’s last chance to confirm his starting role.

Watson must prove himself

Apologizing to the fans is a good start for Watson to mend the burnt bridge with the Dawg Pound, but everybody knows the truest act of forgiveness must come on the gridiron on Sundays, not at a podium during the week.

This sparked a flood of reactions from fans on the social media platform. “This is why the Browns will be the Browns,” one user wrote, clearly lacking optimism. Another commented: “Horrible…… how you trying to rebuild franchise with a QB that won’t be on the team next year.”

Fans of other teams also weighed in on the situation: “I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a Browns fan.” Meanwhile, others continued calling for Shedeur: “This is crazy, my boy Shedeur Sanders deserves a shot.”

During his latest outing, Watson was booed by Browns fans, something Sanders himself questioned. Despite the criticism and lack of support from the fans, Monken prefers the experience of No. 4 over the youth of the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback.

Why are Browns fans turning against Watson?

The backlash from Dawg Pound fans toward Deshaun Watson comes down to a brutal combination of a colossal contract and terrible production. Handing over three first-round picks for a fully guaranteed $230 million deal was a massive, all-in gamble, and the return on investment has been a total nightmare.

Between nagging injuries, inconsistent play, and looking like a shell of his former self on the field, fans feel like the franchise completely blew its future on a guy who just isn’t delivering.

A tough debut for Watson in the 2026 NFL season

The Browns want to be a tough team to beat in the AFC North, and with Deshaun Watson at the helm, they will look to get off to a strong start. It won’t be easy, as both their first and second games will be on the road.

The highly anticipated debut will take place on Sunday, September 13, in Jacksonville against the Jaguars. In Week 2, they will remain in Florida, visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seven days later. Their first game at Huntington Bank Stadium will be against the Carolina Panthers, while in Week 4, Cleveland will host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Watson was booed by Cleveland supporters during the Browns’ preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, adding another uncomfortable chapter to the quarterback’s complicated relationship with the fanbase. Watson later said he believed the reaction was personal and called it disrespectful.

Sanders was asked about the situation and delivered a message that was particularly notable given his own ambitions. While the controversy surrounding Watson could potentially create an opportunity for him to become the Browns’ QB1, Shedeur insisted that respect has to come before competition.

What did Shedeur Sanders say about Deshaun Watson being booed?

Shedeur Sanders made it clear that he does not support fans making Deshaun Watson uncomfortable, regardless of their feelings about the quarterback or the competition between the two players.

“In general, I don’t appreciate that at all. Regardless of competition, we’re all human beings. I think we all need to understand that. I don’t really like making people feel uncomfortable in different spaces, and that’s why, even in daily things I do, I try to make sure everybody’s comfortable.”

Shedeur then emphasized that the situation should be viewed from a broader perspective. Sanders understands that fans have strong opinions about Watson, but he believes the players are ultimately working toward the same goal.

“However you all feel about the situation with Deshaun and about everything, I think it’s more about bigger purpose. It’s just respect. I feel like it should be there because we’re all out there trying to do our best and trying to serve the franchise the best way possible.”

Sanders finished by making it clear that the Browns’ quarterback competition should not overshadow the team’s ultimate objective. “We’re going out there to win games. We’re doing everything we can do. So, you know, I don’t really appreciate that.”

That could be an important message as the Browns prepare to make one of their most consequential decisions of the preseason. Sanders wants the starting job, but he made it clear that he does not believe the path to becoming QB1 should come at the expense of basic respect.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, head coach Todd Monken informed reporters that the decision will be finalized and informed on Monday, meaning that the starter in question will have almost three weeks to solidify himself and form full chemistry with the starters ahead of Week 1.

Both quarterbacks have “won” a preseason battle against the other. In the Browns’ first preseason game, Deshaun Watson shone over Shedeur Sanders. However, the second game was Sanders the one playing much better than Watson.

Who is the more accurate passer between Sanders and Watson?

Shedeur Sanders is consistently evaluated as the more accurate passer compared to Deshaun Watson. Throughout the Cleveland Browns’ 2026 training camp and preseason, accuracy charting, completion percentages, and on-field efficiency have heavily favored the sophomore quarterback.

This is a very important factor given that the Browns revamped heavily their wide receiver corp. Rookies Denzel Boston and KC Koncepcion are very talented, and Jerry Jeudy is on the roster as well.

Watson and Sanders’ preseason is over

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that the last Browns preseason game won’t feat Watson and Sanders. In fact, Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green will be the ones suiting up on Thursday night.

Hence, the decision of who the starting quarterback will be looks as final as it can be. By benching them both, there will not be a room for debate. It will be set in stone.

Watson acknowledged that the boos were not simply a reaction to his performance on the field. The quarterback believes the relationship between him and a portion of the Browns fanbase has become personal, making it difficult for anything he does on the field to completely change the perception surrounding him.

“I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance. It’s a little bit personal. So, I think it’s a disrespectful thing. So, yeah, I mean, I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. And yeah, just move on. I feel like I get more love in road games than I do home games. So, if it is my spot, maybe it’s 17 away games then. I don’t know.”

Why was Deshaun Watson booed by Browns fans?

The comments add another layer to a quarterback situation that could soon determine the direction of the Browns franchise. With Shedeur Sanders pushing for the starting job, Deshaun Watson’s relationship with Cleveland appears increasingly difficult to repair.

Watson made it clear that he does not believe his treatment is based solely on what he does between the lines. He pointed to an incident from his previous appearance at the stadium as evidence that the relationship with the Cleveland fanbase has gone far beyond football.

“Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fanbase, they cheered when I got hurt. So, what does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially for your own city, and they cheer?”

Watson’s comments reveal just how deeply the situation has affected him. Even if he were to improve his performance, the quarterback suggested that the boos would likely continue because the animosity surrounding his tenure in Cleveland is not exclusively connected to his play.

That creates an increasingly difficult environment for both Watson and the Browns. The organization invested heavily in the quarterback, expecting him to become the long-term answer after acquiring him from the Houston Texans.

Who will be Browns QB1?

The Browns now have another option who could dramatically change the situation. Shedeur Sanders has emerged as the top candidate in the competition for the starting job, creating a path for Cleveland to potentially move into a new era.

Watson’s time with the Browns has been defined by injuries, inconsistent performances and controversy. They made a massive gamble when Cleveland traded multiple draft picks to Houston for Watson and then handed him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract despite the legal issues surrounding him at the time.

The investment has failed to produce the results the Browns expected. Watson has struggled to stay healthy and has never consistently looked like the elite quarterback Cleveland wanted, turning what was once viewed as a franchise-changing move into one of the most damaging trades and contracts in recent NFL history.

Now, Sanders could represent a completely different direction. His development and preseason performances could give head coach Todd Monken and the Browns’ coaching staff a reason to move forward with a younger quarterback rather than continue trying to rebuild the relationship between Watson and the Cleveland fanbase.

Monken spoke on 92.3 The Fan and he said he does “not anticipate the QB decision going past early of next week.” Given that there are three weeks from here until the start of the season, the decision is actually a bit late.

Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders have been going back and forth, with the veteran reportedly a bit ahead. However, nothing has been determined but the clock is ticking and Monken knows it.

There was a final rehearsal for both QBs

Saturday’s preseason game vs the Buffalo Bills gave a blueprint on both quarterbacks. Shedeur Sanders threw 11 times and got nine completions for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception for an passer rating of 87.1

Deshaun Watson lost a step as he had four drives where he only completed five passes out of 12 for 35 yards and one interception. His passer rating was an abysmal 14.6. This game was clearly better for Sanders.

Dillon Gabriel also appeared on the game

Merely in an academic cameo, third string signal-caller Dillon Gabriel stepped into the field and had zero completions in one pass thrown. However, he still managed to have a 39.6 passer rating, better than Watson’s.

The quarterback competition between Watson and Sanders means the coaching staff still needs to see them in various game situations before ultimately determining who will be the starter in Week 1. Against the Bills, it appears to be a true test for both players.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on X, Shedeur will start this game, while Watson is expected to take some snaps in the third quarter. It also hasn’t been ruled out that Dillon Gabriel could see some playing time in this matchup.

Who will start for the Browns in Week 1?

Since taking over as the new head coach in Cleveland, Todd Monken knows that his biggest challenge heading into the season is deciding on his starting quarterback. While all signs point to Deshaun Watson edging out Shedeur Sanders due to his experience, nothing has been decided yet.

The first major test of the upcoming season will come at the always-tough EverBank Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars. For Watson, perhaps the biggest challenge will be staying healthy and at full strength throughout the season. For Sanders, the key will undoubtedly be establishing himself in the NFL and avoiding costly mistakes that could jeopardize his position with the franchise.

Another test for Monken and his Browns

The game against the Bills will be key but not decisive. The Cleveland Browns still have one final preparation game before the NFL season, in which they will look to be a tough team to beat in the AFC North.

The game will also be at home, as they host the New England Patriots. The game will take place next Thursday, August 27.

Despite losing 34-10, Monken said Deshaun Watson “functioned at a high level” against the Bears. Monken also added “It was so cool to watch him play. I get all of the frustration by fans, himself (with the past), but for him to come back and work like he did is an unbelievable credit to him.”

While nothing definitive has happened regarding the battle between Watson and Sanders, it seems like Monken is clearly leaning towards the veteran right now. Maturity might be a factor, as Sanders stood by his decision despite throwing an ugly interception.

Watson’s advantages over Sanders

Watson has more experience operating a pro offense, he processes faster than Sanders and executes the playbook in a better way. That being said, it’s not like Watson is a top-tier quarterback in the NFL by any means, though he was about eight years ago.

Durability is a concern for Watson as he has dealt with plenty of heavy injuries throughout his career. Also, Watson is still very turnover prone. The fact is that these two quarterbacks could easily interchange positions throughout the season.

The Browns QB room ranks among the worst in NFL

Per CBS Sports‘ Jordan Dajani, the Cleveland Browns have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL for the upcoming 2026 season. Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Taylen Green are not convincing anyone of their ceiling.