The Cleveland Browns face a critical decision regarding their success this upcoming season: start Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson? With Watson healthy for the 2026 season, head coach Todd Monken must choose between the veteran’s skill set and Sanders’ potential. Watson hasn’t had a favorable run with the franchise so far, while Sanders is coming off a challenging rookie year.
Extenuating Circumstances for Starting Shedeur Sanders Over Deshaun Watson
Watson last started a game during the 2024 season, going 1-6 with 1,148 passing yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. Sanders, on the other hand, finished the 2025 campaign with a 3-4 record in seven starts, 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Monken will want to start his stint in Cleveland on a strong note, and that begins with nailing the quarterback position. As such, the main storyline surrounding the Browns this offseason is the debate over who should start.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot was asked about the chances of Sanders starting over Watson during an appearance on “92.3 The Fan”.
“I would put it at 60%,” Cabot told Ken Carman and Anthony Lima. “If it comes down to Deshaun versus Shedeur, there’s gonna be a lot of sentiment to go with the player you finished last season with, who showed what Todd Monken described as elite playmaking ability, and in the event that you throw him out there and, for some reason, it doesn’t work out the way that you hope, then you could always turn it over to Deshaun.”
“I would put it at 60%… If it comes down to Deshaun vs Shedeur there’s gonna be a lot of sentiment to go with the player you finished last season with, to see what Shedeur can do with an upgraded supporting cast.”
đź“ž@MaryKayCabot on the chance Shedeur Sanders starts week 1 pic.twitter.com/pRRlEGchsf
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) March 26, 2026
Monken has extensive experience running the Baltimore Ravens’ offense, where he worked with the premier dual-threat quarterback in the NFL, Lamar Jackson (94.2 PFSN QB Impact in 2024). Therefore, as it pertains to his offensive style, Watson would naturally fit better in the starting role as a mobile quarterback.
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Politically, however, there are driving forces pushing the Browns to start Sanders. Cabot noted that fan sentiment plays a significant role in the decision-making process for the organization heading into the new season.
“There are extenuating circumstances with the way fans feel about Shedeur and the way fans feel about Deshaun,” Cabot added. “It might make more sense to see what Shedeur can do, and then, once again, if it doesn’t go the way that you hope, then people would be primed and ready for the Deshaun experience. They might not want that at the beginning of the season, and that could be a distraction.”
Sanders will be on the hot seat from the start, facing pressure to perform with Watson waiting in the wings. Monken has proven to be an excellent offensive mind, providing the second-year quarterback with a solid foundation this season.
