Browns’ Shedeur Sanders masterplan revealed after Deshaun Watson QB decision confirmed
Deshaun Watson has been named the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.
The decision comes after a training camp competition between veteran Watson and second-year star Shedeur Sanders, which saw both players take reps with the first-string offense and start different preseason games.
With the 2026 NFL season just weeks away, the decision was confirmed Monday.
“The Browns are naming Deshaun Watson as their starting QB, per multiple sources,” insider Jordan Schultz posted on X, breaking the news.
“Shedeur Sanders will be the backup.”
Deshaun Watson named Browns starter despite outburst
Head coach Todd Monken’s decision has been in little doubt, as Watson was said to be leading the quarterback battle early on.
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The 30-year-old missed the entire 2025 season while rehabbing a twice-torn right Achilles tendon, and has not played a regular season game since October 2024.
Despite that, Monken is said to value Watson’s seven seasons of NFL experience, even if this is likely to be his last year with the team.
He started the first preseason game, and was said to be miles ahead of Sanders at times in training camp.
But following a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field over the weekend, the $230 million QB hit out at Browns fans as he returned.
Watson’s last appearance in front of a home crowd came back in October 2024, and he was met with a chorus of boos as he took to the field.
“It has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson said of the tough reaction.
“It’s a little bit personal. I think that’s a disrespectful thing. I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. Just move on.
“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 went on to admit that he’s not sure if he can win back Browns fans, and suggested the 2026 season could feel like ”17 away games’ even before he won the starting role.
He added: “When I’m in public, no one’s mentioned anything.
“Because this is social media, players can’t respond back. And then in the stadium, players can’t respond back. So I get it. I understand it. So it is what it is.
“It’s a mental battle every day. I feel like I get more love in road games than I do home games. So if it is my spot and he does make me the (starter), maybe it’s 17 away games then.”
Watson, indeed, will start the season under center for the Browns, whether fans like it or not.
Cleveland starts the year with two road games, against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before their home opener against the Carolina Panthers.
According to NFL insider Ari Meirov, the early schedule — and jeers Watson faced — have been a factor in the decision.
Shedeur Sanders masterplan revealed after Browns QB decision
“Part of the thought process behind naming Deshaun Watson the Browns’ starter is that they open the season with two road games (at JAX, at TB) before returning home in Week 3,” Meirov posted on X.
“That would give Watson two games to prove himself away from the fanbase.
“If he struggles, Shedeur Sanders could take over in front of the home crowd after the boos Watson received Saturday.”
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