This story has been updated with new information.
Todd Monken isn't quite ready to name his starting quarterback. The Browns coach, though, is almost there.
A day after the Browns' second preseason game, a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Monken on a Zoom call declined to name a starter for the season opener in Jacksonville, but said it's coming Aug. 24. It's been a months-long battle between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson for the job.
What Monken did say was that Watson's postgame comments about the boos he heard from the fans were not going to sway his decision. Specifically asked if those would play a role, he said, "It does not."
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Sanders started against the Bills after Watson had started the preseason opener at the Chicago Bears. The one who didn't start the game played the third quarter, with each of their final drives spilling into the fourth.
Watson played the third quarter of that game, completing just five of 12 passes for 36 yards, with an interception and a 14.6 rating. He was greeted by audible boos from some in the crowd, which Watson called "personal" and not about "performance" after the game.
The game was the first time Watson had played in Cleveland since Oct. 20, 2024, when he tore his Achilles in the second quarter of a Week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. There were fans who cheered as he was on the ground after the injury, something Watson brought up after the Bills game as supporting evidence to why the fans' reaction is personal.
This is the final season of the fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract paid out to Watson when the Browns acquired him from the Houston Texans in 2022. He arrived with the off-the-field baggage of more than two dozen lawsuits ― all since settled ― by women in the Houston area alleging sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct during massage appointments, all of which led to an 11-game suspension from the league to open his Cleveland career.
Since then, he's only played in 19 of a possible 68 games, including season-ending shoulder and Achilles injuries in 2023 and 2024. He's won nine of 29 starts, completing 61.2% of his passes for 3,365 yards with 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 70 sacks and an 80.7 passer rating.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Todd Monken expected to name Browns starting QB Aug. 24
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