Inside the Browns’ training camp, observers noted that head coach Todd Monken was prepared to tolerate a rocky start for Watson. The general sentiment was that Watson wouldn’t be easily displaced, even if he struggled, with discussions pointing toward a lengthy audition early in the season. This approach suggests Sanders, the team’s young quarterback prospect, may have to wait longer to claim the starting job.
The decision to ride with Watson through the early portion of the season was reinforced after the Week 2 game, in which Monken did not immediately announce a change at quarterback. Following the loss, Monken indicated that he would continue to start Watson against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, citing a need for the offense to operate more smoothly around him. He acknowledged that the team needed to improve in multiple areas—coaching and execution alike—and that better performance from Watson and the supporting cast would be essential for success.
Watson’s Week 1 performance included 205 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 34-10 defeat to Jacksonville. Notably, most of those numbers came in a fourth quarter when Cleveland trailed heavily, with the quarterback having only 100 passing yards through three quarters. Monken emphasized that Watson had not been starved of opportunities and that the offense needed to “play better around him.” He added that when the quarterback had time and the concepts were understood, Watson did not play tentatively and attempted to push the ball downfield.
Beyond the quarterback position, the Browns faced broader offensive and defensive challenges. The offense struggled to find rhythm and organization, while the defense was unable to keep the game within reach. These factors contributed to the team’s disappointing opener and raised the question of how quickly Sanders might be given a chance to showcase his capabilities.
Despite the current plan to keep Watson as the starter for the immediate future, there is still a perceived pathway for Sanders to become Cleveland’s long-term answer at quarterback. Dallas, the team has long viewed Watson as the better option, and insiders have suggested that the Browns would find it easier to pivot to Sanders if the offense failed to deliver with Watson at the helm. This dynamic leaves Sanders with a credible, though still uncertain, route to starting role if performance trends worsen or the season’s outlook shifts.
The Browns’ immediate test comes next in a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Baker Mayfield—the quarterback the franchise pursued before acquiring Watson. A second straight loss would leave Cleveland at 0-2, intensifying scrutiny ahead of a Week 4 game against the Carolina Panthers. The early-season schedule thus creates a delicate balance: if the offense improves, Watson could retain the starting job; if not, Cleveland could pivot to Sanders midseason as part of a strategic reset.
In summary, the Browns appear prepared to give Deshaun Watson time to work through his early-season struggles, prioritizing stability and a longer evaluation window. For Shedeur Sanders, the door remains open but not wide, as he waits for his opportunity to prove he can be the team’s future at quarterback. The unfolding weeks will determine whether the offense can click around Watson and whether Sanders eventually earns a sustained chance to lead Cleveland’s offense.
