One of the most anticipated storylines of this offseason was the QB1 battle for the Cleveland Browns between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. Stretching over the summer, fans got a surprising answer after the second week of preseason.
But even as the organization decided to go one way, many have speculated that the locker room wanted last year’s fifth-round pick to assume command of the offense. One former defensive tackle, though, is calling that speculation outright false.
Browns Locker Room Did Not Side With Shedeur Sanders Over Deshaun Watson, Claims Former DT
After a months-long competition between the two, all signs were pointing towards Watson getting the starting role. However, a disappointing preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, followed by an explosive postgame press conference, seemed to eliminate his chances.
Still, head coach Todd Monken stuck by him and named him the starter for Week 1. Since then, speculation has run amok about the locker room potentially wanting Sanders in that role. However, 92.3 The Fan confirmed no such controversy was plaguing the team.
“We have not seen a bunch of reports that the Browns are starting the wrong guy from inside the building. You’re not seeing that,” Anthony Lima confirmed. “If the players thought that, they would certainly get the message out. That has not happened.”
Now, Breiden Fehoko has seconded that notion. An undrafted free agent in 2020, Fehoko spent five seasons in the league as a nose tackle. Since his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he’s become a major social media presence.
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“I will never throw my sources under the bus. However, this is true,” Fehoko claimed in a post on X. “I’ve talked to more than a handful of people in the Browns organization.” Thankfully, the team has a consensus when it comes to who should be QB1.
I will never throw my sources under the bus. However, this is true. I’ve talked to more than a handful of people in the Browns organization. Deshaun is the quarterback that the locker room, coaching staff, and front office supports. Anyone reporting otherwise or “little birdies… https://t.co/BR5Jknb4v9
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) August 26, 2026
“Deshaun is the quarterback that the locker room, coaching staff, and front office support. Anyone reporting otherwise or ‘little birdies telling them’ is straight up lying.”
Fehoko further clarified that the love for Watson wasn’t a shot at Sanders.
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“That locker room is behind Deshaun Watson. That doesn’t mean they don’t like Shedeur either. They like the kid. Anyone creating agendas saying Todd Monken didn’t choose Deshaun Watson is just lying. Todd wants Deshaun Watson to actually succeed and do well. He is behind him 100% as the starter.”
It remains to be seen if the move works out for the Browns. The last time Watson was on the field for them, he ranked dead last in PFN’s Quarterback Impact Metrics. Unfortunately, Sanders wasn’t much better, as he finished second-to-last in the same rankings last season.
As a result, neither option is particularly game-changing for the Browns, at least as of this moment. But if a new system under Monken can revitalize the offense, then the man under center is going to be Watson in Week 1.
