Overview
- Coach Todd Monken formally announced Watson as Cleveland’s Week 1 starter late last week after joint practices, camp evaluation and limited preseason reps.
- Former NFL QB Ryan Fitzpatrick argued on Amazon Prime that Watson is the more 'operationally' ready passer but said Watson has regressed on throws such as the deep ball and predicted an early failure could open the door for Sanders.
- Preseason box scores show similar small-sample outputs for both quarterbacks, with Watson 16-of-27 for 162 yards, no touchdowns and one interception and Sanders 15-of-22 for 153 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
- Watson’s recent second Achilles rupture and a large guaranteed contract increase scrutiny of the choice and make roster moves or a benching more complex for the Browns.
- The decision is provisional: early regular-season games on Sept. 13 and Sept. 20 are likely to determine the starter and could lead to Sanders taking over for Cleveland’s Sept. 27 home opener if Watson struggles.