Linda Cohn did not wait for the Cleveland Browns to officially settle their quarterback competition before making her position clear.
In a YouTube video posted before Cleveland named Deshaun Watson its Week 1 starter, the longtime former ESPN anchor argued that the Browns should cut Watson and move forward after what she called the worst football mistake in NFL history.
Linda Cohn Says Browns Should Cut Deshaun Watson
“The Cleveland Browns, let’s talk about them. They should cut Deshaun Watson,” Cohn said in her video. “Seriously, what are we doing here?”
Cohn acknowledged that Cleveland still owes Watson $46 million in cash this season and that releasing him would not erase the salary cap consequences of his fully guaranteed five year, $230 million contract.
Her argument was that the financial damage had already been done.
“The Browns would still have to absorb the consequences of the worst contract in NFL history,” Cohn said. “But that money to them is already gone. Keeping Watson on the roster just doesn’t make sense.”
She then went even further.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator
“This is the worst football mistake in the history of NFL teams, and Cleveland made it,” Cohn said.
Cohn admitted that before the preseason she expected Watson to win the starting job. She pointed to his experience, massive contract, and the tendency of NFL teams to avoid admitting expensive mistakes.
But Sanders changed her mind.
START PREPARING: PFN’s Free Fantasy Draft Simulator
Shedeur Sanders’ Preseason Play Changed Cohn’s View
“I’ve changed my mind,” Cohn said. “And I’m allowed to; it’s my show. Because Shedeur Sanders has been good.”
Cohn specifically highlighted Sanders’ performance against Buffalo, when he completed nine of 11 passes for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Watson followed by completing five of 12 attempts for 36 yards with an interception.
Sanders still has plenty to prove after a difficult rookie season. He finished 2025 with a 63.0 QB Impact score, ranking 37th among 38 qualifying quarterbacks. Watson did not play in 2025 while recovering from two Achilles surgeries.
Cohn’s video was posted before head coach Todd Monken officially announced Monday that Watson would start Cleveland’s Sept. 13 opener against Jacksonville.
Monken said in the team announcement that the Browns evaluated the “full body of work” from the offseason, training camp, preseason and joint practices before deciding Watson gave Cleveland the best chance to move the ball and score points. He also said the decision is not being treated as a week-to-week competition.
That makes Cohn’s argument even more notable in hindsight.
Before Cleveland formally recommitted to Watson, she was already arguing that the franchise needed to stop treating its $230 million investment as something that still had to be salvaged.
The Browns made their choice Monday. Cohn had already made hers.
