With Deshaun Watson’s availability for the 2026 season, second-year QB Shedeur Sanders knew he had to fight for the starting job. The Cleveland Browns HC Todd Monken favored Watson more, considering the experience, yet Sanders kept the competition alive till the preseason games. However, Monken finally has a timeline to announce the next QB1 of the Browns.
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“It is possible,” Monken said on the official pregame show on the University Hospitals Browns Radio Network, talking about making a decision about the QB soon. “I don’t anticipate this. I do not anticipate the quarterback decision going past early in next week.”
By the end of next week, the Cleveland Browns will wrap up their preseason schedule. They already faced the Chicago Bears (on August 15) and are gearing up to play the Buffalo Bills today. And then in their final game, the Browns will go against the New England Patriots on August 27.
While HC Todd Monken revealed the possible timeline, he still kept the name a mystery. But based on the first preseason game against the Bears, where the Browns lost 10-34, Deshaun Watson probably looks like the player he would go with.
Watson played the entire first half and completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards. For someone who missed the entire 2025 season due to an injury, Watson’s output was applauded by many, including Monken.
“It was awesome,” Monken said. “It was so cool to watch him play. I mean, I get all of the frustration by fans, himself, but for him to come back and work like he did is an unbelievable credit to him.”
Watson wrapped up the game with a 98.2 passer rating. In the second half, Sanders took over. And contrary to expectations, he struggled to find rhythm and completed just 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards, ending his stint with a 39.6 passer rating.
Sanders is scheduled to start the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, giving him a full half with the starters to bridge the gap. After evaluating the Bills game, HC Todd Monken is seemingly planning to reward the leader with the start on August 27 against the New England Patriots.
Deshaun Watson is entering the final year of his five-year, $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns. But over the last four seasons, Watson has made only 19 appearances. Considering that, many believe Monken & Co. will likely start with the veteran as their QB1 to get his market value up.
However, the final decision is yet to be made. As of now, all eyes will be on how Sanders starts as the leader of the offense against the Bills in a few hours.