Deshaun Watson was officially named the Cleveland Browns’ Week 1 starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders. The decision immediately sparked controversy across the NFL world, prompting a brutally honest response from former Browns QB-turned-analyst Robert Griffin III.
Robert Griffin III Takes Shot at Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam
When Watson was announced as QB1 on Monday, fans blamed first-year head coach Todd Monken for the decision. However, Griffin took to X on Tuesday to assure the NFL world it was owner Jimmy Haslam’s decision instead.
“Sources tell me Deshaun Watson WAS NOT Todd Monken’s choice as the starter and many in the building thought Shedeur Sanders was the right move for the team on and off the field after Watson attacked the fans,” Griffin wrote. “Browns want Deshaun to play for his pay. The fans deserve better.”
“There are $230 million reasons why Deshaun Watson is the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns,” Griffin said in the video clip. “It’s his contract. Period. Haslam already came out and said it was a huge swing and a miss on Deshaun Watson this offseason, last year. Why is he starting? $230 million reasons.”
Sources tell me Deshaun Watson WAS NOT Todd Monken’s choice as the starter and many in the building thought Shedeur Sanders was the right move for the team on and off the field after Watson attacked the fans.
Browns want Deshaun to play for his pay.
The fans deserve better. pic.twitter.com/8gsBY8MTDU
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 26, 2026
Watson signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract in 2022 after the Browns traded three first-round picks to acquire him from the Houston Texans.
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Since signing the deal, Watson has looked nothing like his former Pro Bowl self. However, Browns ownership still feels obligated to start him based on the massive investment from the front office.
Sources tell me Deshaun Watson WAS NOT Todd Monken’s choice as the starter and many in the building thought Shedeur Sanders was the right move for the team on and off the field after Watson attacked the fans.
Browns want Deshaun to play for his pay.
The fans deserve better. pic.twitter.com/8gsBY8MTDU
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 26, 2026
Griffin continued: “I believe it was the ownership group and the executive group that said, ‘He is gonna be our starter, and if he doesn’t do it, we’re gonna bring Shedeur in. Shedeur’s gonna play, and if Shedeur proves that he can be the guy, we won’t draft a quarterback next year. But if Shedeur doesn’t, then we’re gonna draft a quarterback next year.'”
Griffin concluded by saying, “Cause who in their right mind would make Deshaun Watson, after everything that’s happened, their starting quarterback going into next year?”
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Watson has posted finishes of 28th, 28th, and 40th among signal-callers from 2022-2024, according to PFN’s NFL Quarterback Impact Rankings. He has also never played more than half a season for the Browns, whether due to suspension or injury.
At this stage of Watson’s career, he has little to offer the Browns organization. Sanders, meanwhile, at least has some long-term upside.
Watson will start Week 1 against the Jaguars, but don’t be surprised if coach Monken quickly pulls the plug and sees what he has in Sanders moving forward.
