Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, finds himself in a challenging position as the team prepares for the upcoming NFL season. After a summer filled with speculation about a potential competition for the starting quarterback role against Deshaun Watson, it appears that Sanders will be relegated to the backup position. This development comes after a series of preseason games that raised questions about the fairness of the competition.
During a recent segment on "Pro Football Talk," analyst Chris Simms discussed the dynamics of the quarterback battle, suggesting that the Browns may have favored Watson all along. Simms pointed to the team's decision to limit Sanders' playing time with the starters during their second preseason game as a sign that the competition was not as close as it seemed. He remarked, "What if it wasn’t really that close?" This statement reflects a growing sentiment that the Browns had already made up their minds regarding their starting quarterback.
In the second preseason game, Watson started and played the first half, completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards, despite the team's overall struggle in a 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. Sanders entered the game after halftime, working primarily with reserve players, and finished with a less impressive 6 of 11 for 79 yards and an interception. The following week, Sanders had another opportunity to showcase his skills against the Buffalo Bills, but again, he faced a lineup predominantly made up of backups. He managed to complete his first eight passes and led the Browns to their only touchdown drive, ending the game with 9 of 11 for 74 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Despite Sanders' efforts, Watson's performance, coupled with his emotional response to the crowd's reaction, seemed to solidify his position as the starter. Following the game against the Bills, Watson commented on the boos he received, stating, "The whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance." Head coach Todd Monken later confirmed Watson as the starter, emphasizing that his decision was based on the quarterbacks' overall performance rather than one game.
Simms, who had previously been an advocate for Sanders, expressed disappointment in the way the Browns handled the quarterback situation. He had questioned the rationale behind continuing to invest time in Watson, especially considering his struggles since joining the team. Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler, has not played in a regular-season game since suffering an Achilles injury in October 2024. Since joining the Browns, he has a record of 9-10 with 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.
Sanders, on the other hand, had a mixed performance last season, finishing with a 3-4 record in seven starts. He completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, with seven touchdowns and ten interceptions. His progress was notable enough to warrant consideration for the starting role, but ultimately, the Browns opted for Watson's experience as they prepare to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in their season opener.
As the Browns move forward, the pressure will be on Watson to perform and justify the team's decision to name him the starter. With the season approaching, both Watson and Sanders will be looking to make their mark, albeit in very different roles.
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