Browns rumors: Deshaun Watson was ‘clear’ QB1 over Shedeur Sanders long before brutal press conference

As some were shocked to see the Cleveland Browns name Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders, there is some reason to believe that the plan was in place for a good amount of time. While rumors surround the Browns regarding the move to start Watson over Sanders, this NFL insider would give insight into the decision-making process.

With Cleveland announcing that the 30-year-old would start for the team after not playing since the 2024 season and turning in a lackluster preseason outing recently, many were stunned that Sanders wasn’t given the nod. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler would admit that the team “stuck to the script,” as Watson was considered the “heavy favorite” to start in the spring, though Sanders “closed the gap.”

Fowler would also mention how, aside from the frustrating preseason performance last Saturday, his comments after the game about how he felt disrespected by the fans after booing him didn’t deter the team’s decision.

“Well, the staff feels good because they felt like they didn’t overreact…The last few weeks, Deshaun Watson steadied the ship a little bit coming out of that Thursday joint practice with Buffalo. It was clear Watson was the guy. He made several good throws that day, running with the first-team offense,” Fowler said.

“So the Browns decided we’re not going to let one bad day-that last Saturday that was pretty bad on the field and at the podium affect what has been going on over the last six months,” Fowler continued.

"Coming out of that Thursday joint practice with Buffalo, it was clear [Deshaun] Watson was the guy."@JFowlerESPN details the process of Deshaun Watson earning the starting QB role for the Browns pic.twitter.com/mvF6xEBCcM

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 27, 2026

Fowler would say that the Browns thought Sanders performed well to the point where the team does “feel comfortable” throwing out the sophomore if Watson were to underperform. It will be Watson to start the season as Cleveland opens the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13.

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