Browns name Deshaun Watson starting quarterback for regular season
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 12:43 PM
Last updated Sep 2, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have named Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback for the upcoming season. Head coach Todd Monken based the decision on performance during the offseason, training camp, and preseason practices. During the preseason, Watson completed 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards with one interception, while Shedeur Sanders finished 15 of 22 for 153 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Analyst Nick Pedone expressed concern regarding the decision, suggesting that if the team pivots to Sanders after multiple losses, the lack of first-team practice reps could leave the backup unprepared. The Browns open their schedule with road games against Jacksonville and Tampa Bay before hosting Carolina and Pittsburgh. Critics of the decision argue that the organization is creating a difficult situation for Sanders should he be forced to replace Watson later in the year.
- •Todd Monken named Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback for the regular season.
- •Deshaun Watson recorded 162 passing yards and one interception throughout the preseason.
- •Shedeur Sanders completed 15 of 22 passes with one touchdown during preseason action.
- •The Browns begin their schedule with games against Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Pittsburgh.
- •Analysts noted concerns regarding the limited practice repetitions available for Shedeur Sanders as a backup.
- 12:43 PMYahoo Sports — Browns face growing heat over Deshaun Watson call as Shedeur Sanders uproar explodes
- 11:56 PMYahoo Sports — ‘This Is Upsetting,’ ‘Shameful’ — Browns Fans React As Todd Monken Is Unbothered by Backlash Over Deshaun Watson-Shedeur Sanders Decision
- 4:33 PMYahoo Sports — Could Deshaun Watson Get a Month to Prove Himself Before Browns Turn to Shedeur Sanders?
- 6:00 PMYahoo Sports — ‘What a Mess’ — Browns Analyst Slams ‘Unfair’ Expectation for Shedeur Sanders After Deshaun Watson Becomes QB1
"The Cleveland Browns finally have their 1st quarterback. However, the problem is that nobody seems convinced the decision is going to stay clean for long. Deshaun Watson won the Browns QB competition over Shedeur Sanders; however, the bigger question now is how long the veteran gets to prove he can actually make this work. That […] The post Could Deshaun Watson Get a Month to Prove Himself Before Browns Turn to Shedeur Sanders? appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
"The Cleveland Browns have been in quarterback purgatory for many years, and that likely will remain the case as we enter the 2026 season. This offseason, they had a quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders.
"The Cleveland Browns finally settled their quarterback competition, but naming Deshaun Watson the starter did not end the debate. For Nick Pedone, it may have created a new problem for Shedeur Sanders instead.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 12:43 PMBrowns face growing heat over Deshaun Watson call as Shedeur Sanders uproar explodes
The Cleveland Browns backed quarterback Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders, but critics warn his leash may already be dangerously short.
- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 11:56 PM‘This Is Upsetting,’ ‘Shameful’ — Browns Fans React As Todd Monken Is Unbothered by Backlash Over Deshaun Watson-Shedeur Sanders Decision
The Cleveland Browns have been in quarterback purgatory for many years, and that likely will remain the case as we enter the 2026 season. This offseason, they had a quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 4:33 PMCould Deshaun Watson Get a Month to Prove Himself Before Browns Turn to Shedeur Sanders?
The Cleveland Browns finally have their 1st quarterback. However, the problem is that nobody seems convinced the decision is going to stay clean for long. Deshaun Watson won the Browns QB competition over Shedeur Sanders; however, the bigger question now is how long the veteran gets to prove he can actually make this work. That […] The post Could Deshaun Watson Get a Month to Prove Himself Before Browns Turn to Shedeur Sanders? appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 6:00 PM‘What a Mess’ — Browns Analyst Slams ‘Unfair’ Expectation for Shedeur Sanders After Deshaun Watson Becomes QB1
The Cleveland Browns finally settled their quarterback competition, but naming Deshaun Watson the starter did not end the debate. For Nick Pedone, it may have created a new problem for Shedeur Sanders instead.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NFL•Oct 18, 2026, 1:28 AMKaelon Black misses Saturday's practice
NFL•Oct 17, 2026, 11:44 PM49ers rule out Bosa for MNF, still hopeful for Evans, Juszczyk
NFL•Oct 17, 2026, 11:39 PMNFL predictions: Which running game excels in Browns-Ravens matchup to take over the AFC North?
NFL•Oct 17, 2026, 11:28 PMMike Evans Injury Update: 49ers WR’s Week 6 Status Revealed
NFL•Oct 17, 2026, 10:14 PMJerry Jeudy leads Browns' threats the Ravens cannot afford to overlook
NFL•Oct 17, 2026, 10:05 PMSources: Eagles QB Hurts placed on IR, expected to be out indefinitely