Now that the Minnesota Vikings have announced Kyler Murray as the starter, and Michael Penix Jr. still hasn’t been able to take the field to battle Tua Tagovailoa in Atlanta, the Cleveland Browns are holding the NFL’s last remaining starting QB competition.
Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders? That’s the question first-year head coach Todd Monken is forced to answer. As if there wasn’t already enough pressure on the two QBs competing for the Browns’ starting job, now a former Pro Bowl receiver is turning up the heat on Watson.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh Still Believes in Deshaun Watson… Only Just
Many in Cleveland have given up on hopes of Watson returning to the elite Pro Bowl form he once flashed as a member of the Houston Texans. Remember, this is a three-time Pro Bowl QB who once looked like he was poised to compete for the MVP.
Yet, the Browns have instead gotten a QB who’s led them to a 9-10 record across three seasons. While most don’t believe the fresh start Watson is getting from Monken will make a difference, a former Cincinnati Bengals receiver hasn’t given up on the 30-year-old QB.
Specifically, former Pro Bowl receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh recently said on the “Speakeasy” podcast that it looks like the best QB will win the job fair and square.
“It ain’t like Deshaun Watson can just go out there and be straight [expletive] and he’s still gonna start Week 1,” Houshmandzadeh remarked. “He’s gonna have to show that he’s capable. If Shedeur Sanders just outplays him in the preseason and it’s by a mile, then Shedeur Sanders will start.”
Yet, Houshmandzadeh doesn’t think Watson will leave this competition up to chance. He believes Watson will not leave any doubt in the Browns’ minds.
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“I just believe Deshaun Watson is gonna play well enough to where it’s like, man, we’re giving you $40 million-plus; let’s see if this is gonna be the year, let’s see if we can recapture this Houston Texans Deshaun Watson,” Houshmandzadeh stated.
“Because there’s always that hope of, man, this is gonna be the year. And you’re paying him all this money regardless, so you’re at least gonna give him an opportunity.”
Cleveland posted the NFL’s lowest PFN Impact Score as an offense last season with a woeful grade of just 54. That ineptitude is a big reason why they made the coaching change from Kevin Stefanski to Monken.
Watson didn’t make any starts last season as he was recovering from a torn Achilles. Sanders made seven starts as a rookie but has likely sharpened his toolbox after an offseason of work.
The question now is which QB gives a reshaped Browns roster the best chance to improve upon last season? Houshmandzadeh thinks it’s Watson, and Monken may think he’s right.
