The Cleveland Browns face growing pressure at quarterback after their 34-10 Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, Emmanuel Acho warned Cleveland against rushing Shedeur Sanders into the starting role.
Speaking on Speakeasy, Acho addressed calls for the Browns to turn to Sanders after Deshaun Watson’s difficult return.
“Here’s a problem,” Acho said. “I’ve been saying this and I hope if y’all hear nothing else, y’all hear this. If you start Shedeur in Week 2 and Shedeur is not Tom Brady reincarnate, you are also setting yourself up for failure.”
Acho pointed to problems across Cleveland’s offense rather than placing the blame solely on Watson.
“The Browns offensive line was atrocious. Browns play calling was confusing,” Acho said. “Browns offense in totality wasn’t on the same page.”
Watson completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also took five sacks in his first regular-season appearance in 693 days. Head coach Todd Monken has already confirmed Watson will remain the starter for Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That decision gives Watson another chance to make his case after missing the entire 2025 season with back-to-back Achilles injuries.
Acho believes inserting Sanders into that environment could create a difficult situation for the second-year quarterback. “So you want to go throw a second-year Shedeur, seven touchdown, 10 interception last year Shedeur into that offensive chaos,” Acho said.
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He also warned that a quick switch could create another quarterback controversy if Sanders struggles.
“The moment Shedeur Sanders struggles, you have to live with Shedeur Sanders struggling for the next 17 games or it gets worse,” Acho said. “Imagine a world where now you got a bench Shedeur Sanders, say it first six-round pick Taylon Green.”
Sanders remains the primary backup, with Green behind him and Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve.
So, for Cleveland, the next few games could shape the quarterback conversation. But Acho’s warning centers on protecting Sanders from being thrown into an unstable offense too soon.
