Todd Monken was handed the difficult job of choosing between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson as the Cleveland Browns looked for a quarterback to lead them in the 2026 NFL season. The quarterback play was one of the biggest issues for the Browns in the 2025 season, as the team ended the campaign with a 5-12 record. Therefore, it was imperative for Monken to make the right choice.
Monken decided to go with Watson over Sanders as the Browns’ starting quarterback after an intense competition throughout the offseason, training camp and preseason. The Browns are one game into the season, and the start has been far from ideal for Monken and Watson. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Browns 34-10 in the season opener.
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Watson looked out of sorts from the off. He threw an interception on the opening possession, and the tone was set for the game. The Browns couldn’t score a single point in the first half, with Watson completing the game with 205 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. His touchdown pass came late in the fourth quarter.
This meant that Monken was immediately under pressure to reconsider his decision between Sanders and Watson heading into the Browns’ second game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Monken, reacting to the whole situation, said he anticipated Watson would remain the starter.
When asked if Watson needs to play well against the Buccaneers to earn the start against the Carolina Panthers, Monken said, “I wouldn’t say that. I always expect our players to play well. I wouldn’t put them out there if I didn’t. So I expect him to play really well and there were moments on Sunday that he did.”
“And there were moments we did a really good job offensively. And there were moments where we didn’t. And there were moments when we didn’t coach well enough and there were moments where we didn’t play well enough,” he added.
Watson might have Monken’s backing heading into the Buccaneers game, but another performance like the one against the Jaguars could raise serious doubts about his starting role.
