After a brutal training camp battle, Shedeur Sanders lost the Cleveland Browns’s QB1 job to Deshaun Watson. Sanders and Watson had been engaged in one of the league’s most intriguing quarterback battles,ttles and the veteran edged out the second-year quarterback for the position.
Former NFL Players Surprised by Browns Naming Deshaun Watson QB1
Watson edging Sanders in the Browns’ QB1 battle has elicited mixed responses from former NFL players, and some of them were surprised.
Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel blasted coach Todd Monken’s decision to choose Watson over Sanders, especially with the veteran’s history with the Browns fans.
“I don’t see it, I don’t get it, I don’t understand it after that press conference; what is he thinking?” Daniel asked. “You can’t say it’s personal. You’re gonna have a starting QB that’s gonna get booed at every game. Sure, he plays really well, he might have a chance to not get booed, but Shedeur Sanders gives them the best chance to win.”
This is a complete mistake in so many ways…. https://t.co/Mezo8eMHUr pic.twitter.com/eIIPvugi1i
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 24, 2026
Watson blasted the Browns fans after they booed him during the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field on Saturday, and brought up how they cheard when he tore his Achilles tendon in 2024.
The three-time Pro Bowler’s career in Cleveland has been largely interrupted by injuries and off-field issues. Watson missed 11 games in his first season because of sexual harassment allegations.
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In 2023, the quarterback sustained a rotator cuff strain and underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. He ruptured his Achilles tendon and missed the last 10 games of the 2024 season. In 2025, he re-ruptured his Achilles tendon and missed the whole season.
During Monday’s segment of the “First Take” show, former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky took issue with the Browns’ decision.
“I am shocked,” Orlovsky said. “I feel awful for the fans of the Cleveland Browns. I have no idea how you could witness what you witnessed in that press conference and it not being a part of your evaluation in the decision. I think the world of Todd Monken, I think he’s a great coach. I think the world of Andrew Berry, I think he’s put together really good football teams. I have no idea how they could make this decision.”
“I am shocked. I feel awful for the fans of the Cleveland Browns.”@danorlovsky7 reacts to Deshaun Watson being named the starting QB 🏈 pic.twitter.com/6LB5fAvxjJ
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 24, 2026
Former NFL quarterback Kurt Benkert opined that Watson’s mammoth contract played a part in the ultimate decision.
“Too much $ to admit the mistake,” Benkert opined.
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Two-time Super Bowl champion Asante Samuel wrote “Unbelievable!!” on X after the decision was announced.
Whereas former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho added, “It was never a quarterback competition, it was always a charade… Deshaun is getting too much money to start on the bench, but his leash won’t be long!”
It was never a quarterback competition, it was always a charade… Deshaun is getting too much money to start on the bench, but his leash won’t be long! @speakeasytlkshw back tnite! https://t.co/RbSlhS6KnI
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) August 24, 2026
Watson signed a lucrative, fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns after being traded from the Houston Texans in 2022. The contract has been labeled one of the NFL’s worst big-money deals.
Despite Watson’s cushy contract, he has only played 19 games for the Browns and has a woeful 9-10 record.
On the other hand, after climbing the depth chart in his rookie season, Sanders led the Browns to a 3-4 record as a starter. He earned the second-worst PFN QB Impact score of 63.0 after registering 1,400 passing yards on 56.6% completions, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
