The Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson has reached its merciful end, at least for now. Browns' head coach Todd Monken announced Monday that Watson will be the starting quarterback when the Browns open the 2026 season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Heading into the competition earlier this offseason, many believed it was Watson's job to lose, and Sanders had to show he was completely ready to take the full-time role. Sanders seemed close to showing that by outperforming Watson throughout most of training camp and in the most recent preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
Monken said after Saturday's game that he would make his decision on Monday, but following Watson's press conference
over the weekend, in which he called out Browns fans, many in the NFL world thought Sanders should be named the starter.
Obviously, that did not happen, and Monken went with the veteran and said it is not a "week to week" decision. The Browns open the season with two road games, and with Cleveland fans clearly not behind Watson, the Browns might think it makes sense to give Watson a two-game audition before reevaluating ahead of their Week 3 home opener.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Browns make decision in Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson QB battle
