Deshaun Watson has completed an improbable return to the top of Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart.
After nearly two years away from meaningful NFL action and a training-camp competition with Shedeur Sanders, Watson will start the Cleveland Browns’ Sept. 13 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Todd Monken announced the decision Monday, ending one of the NFL’s most closely watched preseason battles.
The Browns confirmed the choice directly. The decision and its surrounding details were also independently reported by The Associated Press and Reuters.
Why Monken chose Watson
Monken said the staff evaluated the entire offseason: practices, training camp, preseason games and the joint practice with the Buffalo Bills. His conclusion was that Watson gives Cleveland its best opportunity to move the football and score in Week 1.
The coach also made clear that this is not intended to be a week-to-week arrangement. Watson will receive the first-team preparation time leading into Jacksonville, while Sanders continues developing as the backup.
Watson and Sanders split first-team repetitions throughout the offseason. Each started a preseason game and received opportunities against opposing defenses. Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards in the first half against Chicago, then went 5 of 12 for 36 yards with an interception against Buffalo.
A comeback few expected
Watson has not played a regular-season game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon in October 2024. A setback during rehabilitation required a second operation, causing him to miss the entire 2025 season.
His Cleveland tenure has fallen far short of expectations since the Browns traded three first-round draft picks to Houston and signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in 2022. Watson has started only 19 games for Cleveland, producing a 9-10 record with 19 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and an 80.7 passer rating.
He also served an 11-game NFL suspension in 2022 following allegations of sexual misconduct during massage appointments. Watson has denied wrongdoing, and two Texas grand juries declined to indict him.
Injuries then ended his 2023 and 2024 seasons early. Now, at age 30, he gets another opportunity to reestablish himself as an NFL starter.
Sanders closed the gap—but not enough
Sanders entered the league as a fifth-round pick in 2025 and eventually started the final seven games of his rookie season. He went 3-4 in those starts and finished his first year with seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.
The second-year quarterback showed progress during the current preseason. Against Buffalo, Sanders completed his first eight passes and finished the first half 9 of 11 for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Monken acknowledged that Sanders significantly narrowed the competition and praised his long-term potential. The coach nevertheless decided Watson was ahead when the Browns needed to choose their Week 1 starter.
The pressure begins immediately
Watson’s return remains unpopular with a vocal section of Cleveland’s fan base. He was booed during Saturday’s preseason loss to Buffalo and initially called the reaction personal and disrespectful. On Monday, Watson said his emotions got the better of him and clarified that his remarks were not aimed at every Browns supporter.
Winning is the clearest way to change the atmosphere. Cleveland opens with two road games—Jacksonville on Sept. 13 and Tampa Bay on Sept. 20—before hosting the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 27.
The Browns have made their decision. Watson has the starting job, Sanders has time to continue improving, and the pressure now shifts from the quarterback competition to the scoreboard.
Published August 24, 2026.
