The Cleveland Browns have finally made the decision everyone was waiting for. They announced their starting quarterback for the 2026 season, choosing veteran Deshaun Watson over polarizing second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders.
Most Browns fans were rooting for Sanders to win the job, so this result will likely bring some disdain from the fanbase, especially after they booed Watson when he took the field in the last game. Although not everyone thinks starting Watson is a bad move.
NFL Insider Thinks Browns Made Right Move in Shedeur Sanders Vs. Deshaun Watson
Jeremy Fowler joined ESPN Cleveland to discuss the QB decision, saying that he believes the Browns made the right move. “I think it’s the right move. He’s got more ability than Shedeur Sanders. He’s a better athlete. Todd Monken’s offense requires a lot of responsibility.”
“I think it’s the right move. He’s got more ability than Shedeur Sanders, he’s a better athlete, Todd Monken’s offense requires a lot of responsibility,” – @JFowlerESPN thinks the Browns made the right call starting Deshaun Watson at QB. pic.twitter.com/wKGfwl2pQS
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 24, 2026
Fowler has spent much of his career covering the AFC North; he is familiar with the Browns and the scheme Monken wants to run from his time as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator last season. Unfortunately for the Browns, Watson has been a bust ever since joining the team.
He has struggled to stay healthy, and when he was healthy, he did not play well. Watson missed the entire 2025 season recovering from a torn Achilles. Before going down with that injury in Week 7 of 2024, Watson led the Browns to a 1-6 record and threw only five touchdowns to three interceptions.
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Sanders’ lack of success, meanwhile, when given an opportunity last season likely led to this result.
Sanders had a PFN QB Impact Rating of 63.0, which was the second-worst mark in the NFL. Even though Watson won the starting job, he likely will not be the only Browns starter this year. Unless he turns back the clock, the Browns may make multiple changes at QB before the 2026 season is out.
The Browns have one of the lowest projected win totals in the NFL. They have been living in QB purgatory for decades, and that will likely continue in 2026.
It cannot be overstated how a franchise quarterback can change things; while the Browns hope that QB is on the roster, they will likely look to draft a new one in 2027.
