Browns HC Todd Monken has named QB Deshaun Watson his Week 1 starter over Shedeur Sanders.
This Shouldn't Surprise You
The immediate public response to this has been surprise, but it shouldn't be.
No Browns QB has lit it up at any point this offseason, and Watson has consistently been reported as the expected winner. The only recent development has been Watson complaining in a press conference after Saturday's preseason contest about fans booing him for "personal" reasons rather than performance.
What They're Saying: No Flowers for Watson
The Atheltic's Zac Jackson: "Awkward and unseemly as the whole thing may be, the reaction actually has a lot to do with performance. Watson stunk for three seasons in Cleveland and missed a fourth while rehabbing from a twice-torn right Achilles tendon. He's worked his way back to the field, but there's clearly still work to be done by the team in explaining why Watson might be the best option. ... Nothing in any of Watson's 19 previous performances in a Browns uniform indicated he's suddenly going to ascend and elevate those around him after nearly two years away."
Owner Jimmy Haslam, after the Browns went 3-14 in 2024: "We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun. We thought we had the quarterback. We didn't. And we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we've got to dig ourselves out of that hole."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: No Change
All of that's obviously fair on Watson, who excites absolutely no one at this point. But we also got to see seven Shedeur Sanders starts last year, plus six from classmate Dillon Gabriel. And then the Browns imported a new coaching staff.
HC Todd Monken has been coaching since 1989, has spent time with four NFL franchises (dating to 2007), and just started his second stint under Haslam.
Monken has no reason to lean Watson other than that he thinks the veteran is his best available option.
I'm not betting on Watson to spend the whole season at the helm, and you can expect all Browns QBs to remain low across our fantasy football rankings. But don't treat this decision as negative for other fantasy options in the Cleveland offense.
The Browns open at Jacksonville and Tampa Bay before returning home to face the Panthers and Steelers.
We'll see whether Watson can make it to the home opener.
