Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders may see the bench going forward, even if Deshaun Watson continues to struggle, thanks to coach Todd Monken's preseason decision
Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders is the Browns backup QB for the forseeable future(Image: Getty Images)
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The Cleveland Browns once again have uncertainty at the quarterback position. After a Week 1 stinker in a humbling road 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, incumbent starter Deshaun Watson is already on the hot seat.
The popular choice in Cleveland is second-year signal caller Shedeur Sanders, who received chants from traveling fans last week in Jacksonville. He would be the popular choice to start the home opener in Week 3.
Head coach Todd Monken confirmed Watson as his starter for Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The first-year coach, according to FOX writer Ralph Vacchiano, has a long leash for the $46 million Watson.
Vacchiano reported this week that Monken has planned, since summer training camp, to give Watson a "long leash," one that could extend through October.
Watson completed 16 of his 25 passes for 205 yards with a touchdown and an interception against the Jaguars, though around half of his yards came with Jacksonville playing backups during the fourth quarter.
Todd Monken
Browns coach Todd Monken is planting his flag in the Deshaun Watson camp(Image: Getty Images)
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Monken immediately faced questions about Watson's job status post-game and deflected, saying he needed to review the film. On Monday, he confirmed Watson as the starter.
“We got to play better around him,” Monken said Monday. “We've got to call it better, and he’s got to play better. It wasn’t just our inability to function consistently as an offense; it was a byproduct of ‘we’ – coaching and playing.”
Sunday will also mark a battle between Watson and Tampa Bay starter Baker Mayfield, famously jettisoned by the Browns after a shaky 2021 campaign.
Mayfield led the franchise to its first playoff victory a year earlier in nearly 30 years. He has since earned multiple Pro Bowl nods with the Buccaneers, while Watson remains arguably the NFL's worst contract.
Chad Ochocinco, speaking with Outkick before the season, said he expects the Browns to make a QB change if they start 0-2.
"If you start off 0-2, they’re making a move. They’re making a move before the season gets too far away from them," he said.
"As an owner and person writing the check, Deshaun Watson was always going to be the starting quarterback, no matter what. Now, it’s his job to lose now going forward, and his leash is going to be very short."
Cleveland will face the Carolina Panthers at home in Week 3.