Browns rumors: Analyst says Todd Monken made decision to start Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders

With the Cleveland Browns choosing to start Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders at quarterback for the start of the season, there is no doubt that some fans are livid and want to know who made the important call. As rumors surround the Browns, this NFL insider would answer the question that the fanbase wants to hear.

Speaking on ESPN Cleveland, insider Tony Grossi was asked about the decision-maker for starting Watson over Sanders, with him flat-out saying that it was head coach Todd Monken who “made this call.” Grossi made the argument that if owner Jimmy Haslam wanted the more popular pick in Sanders, he would’ve likely changed the choice.

“Alright, I’ll say again. I think it’s…Todd Monken made this call,” Grossi said. “If Haslam wanted to make a call, he put the popular guy in there. I mean, doesn’t that make more sense if you’re the owner?”

"I'll say it again, Todd Monken made this call," – @TonyGrossi on picking the Browns QB1 to start the season. pic.twitter.com/HEt4lcwVBI

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 27, 2026

Browns insider continues on decision to start Deshaun Watson

There’s no denying that the decision of the Browns to start Watson over Sanders is an unpopular one, especially after the events of the last preseason game on Saturday where Watson was booed by Cleveland fans. Grossi would continue talking about how Haslam could have gone with Sanders instead of the “negativity” surrounding the team with Watson, but Monken felt that Watson gives them the “best chance to win.”

“The guy who would just…the fans would rally around and get excited about. Haslam would do that if he had, you know, if he wanted to influence this decision. What’s the end game in him demanding that Deshaun Watson play? All this negativity poured out on his team. He’s trusting the coach that Watson gives them the best chance to win,” Grossi said.

At any rate, it remains to be seen if Cleveland’s choice turns out to be a good one or not as the team opens the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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