The Cleveland Browns finally decided on their starting quarterback for the 2026 NFL season. Following their second preseason game, they announced that veteran Deshaun Watson would start over Shedeur Sanders when Week 1 rolls around. Their fanbase is angry, and rightfully so, but is it too late to earn back some goodwill?
The short answer here is yes. Deshaun Watson was acquired in 2022 through a trade with the Houston Texans. Cleveland sent three first-round draft picks (2022, 2023, and 2024) along with a 2023 third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks (2022 and 2024). The Browns also acquired Houston’s 2024 sixth-rounder in the trade.
To make matters worse, the Browns signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. The QB was putting up tremendous numbers in Houston, so why is this contract so bad?
In his final season with the Texans, Watson had career highs in completions (382), pass yards (4,823, led the NFL), and touchdowns (33), all while throwing a career low in interceptions (seven).
Watson is entering his fifth season with the Browns. Over the last four years, he’s appeared in 19 games, throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He’s also suffered a torn rotator cuff and a torn Achilles, twice.
Watson’s $230 million contract has hamstrung Cleveland’s roster building. They’ve gone 26-42 during his tenure, and they’ve leaned heavily on building through the Draft.
Browns fans have made their disdain for Watson abundantly clear. For starters, poor play on the field is no way to win over a fanbase. His comments following a preseason loss last weekend stoked the fire even more. He was booed by the home crowd during the game and shared his thoughts.
“I think the whole world knows, it has nothing to do about performance. It’s a little bit (more) personal than that. It’s a disrespectful thing… That same fan base cheered when I got hurt. What does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially in their own city, and they cheer.”
Before arriving in Cleveland, Watson faced over 20 allegations of sexual misconduct. As a result, he was suspended for his first 11 games with the Browns. The Cleveland faithful has not forgotten about that either.
Poor play, remarks toward the fanbase, and a problematic history off the field are no way to win the city over. Watson attempted to mend the relationship after he was named QB1, but it hasn’t gone over well.
“I thought I was going to get a little different response. My emotions got the best of me. My comments wasn’t intended to go at any of the fans around the city.”
Cleveland’s fanbase is frustrated, and they’re expressing it. That begs the question, though. What is the alternative?
Sanders was battling Watson for the starting spot. It ultimately went to the veteran, but the second-year QB would’ve been the right call instead.
Sanders didn’t exactly light up the field last season. His rookie year saw a carousel of QBs under center, and he finally got his shot in Week 11. Through seven starts, he recorded a 56.6 completion percentage, 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Starting Sanders would be welcoming the unknown. He’s unproven, but he’s shown flashes of talent. That’s a gamble the Browns should take in 2026. They know what they have in Watson, and historically speaking, it isn’t good.
Through two preseason games, Watson completed 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards and one interception. Sanders completed 15 of 22 passes for 152 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Neither option knocked it out of the park.
Sanders hasn’t had time to properly develop in the NFL. The 2026 season doesn’t look overly promising for Cleveland. Why not start the 24-year-old and see what he can do? If he continues to struggle, the 2027 NFL Draft may offer his replacement.
It’s worth noting that Watson’s time in Cleveland is likely coming to an end regardless. The team can cut him in 2027 and split the dead money across two seasons as opposed to taking the hit all at once.
Even if the Browns hold onto Watson in 2027, the odds of him keeping the QB1 job seem extremely low. Simply put, he’s not the future of this team. To be completely fair, Sanders may not be either. It doesn’t seem they’re interested in finding out, though.
If the Browns want to mend their relationship with the fanbase, the simple answer is to win games. That seems like a tall task right now, so the other option is to turn to Sanders. His three wins as a starter last year were more than any other QB they put under center combined.
Even if Sanders doesn’t lead Cleveland to a winning season, there will be respect for giving him a shot. Watson has burned his bridge with the fanbase in more ways than one.
The Browns’ head coach, Todd Monken, believes Watson is their best chance to win games now. In his first year, it’s not ridiculous to consider all options. If history is any indication, Watson won’t be the answer.
Start Sanders, let him develop, and take the growing pains as they come. Sometimes it’s better to welcome the unknown than willingly accept a negative outcome.
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