Overview
- Coach Todd Monken officially announced Monday that Deshaun Watson will start the Sept. 13 opener at Jacksonville and Shedeur Sanders will open the season as the primary backup.
- Monken said the decision came from a review of performance across the offseason, training camp, preseason games and joint practices and that Watson best positioned the team to score on the road.
- Watson was loudly booed at Huntington Bank Field in the Bills preseason game and called that reaction “disrespectful,” but Monken said those comments did not factor into his choice.
- The move balances on Watson’s long, fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal, his two Achilles injuries and limited recent game tape, and the Browns kept Sanders ready to replace Watson quickly if results falter.
- The choice drew sharp fan and media criticism and keeps the Browns focused on short-term win chances while leaving open roster and financial questions about Watson’s future with the franchise.