Shedeur Sanders Remains Backup as Deshaun Watson Retains Starting Role

Shedeur Sanders will continue to wait for his chance to lead the Cleveland Browns offense as head coach Todd Monken has confirmed that Deshaun Watson will remain the starting quarterback following a disappointing season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In the game, the Browns lost 34-10, with Watson completing 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Despite his statistics, Watson struggled early, throwing for only 100 yards through three quarters before some late-game completions improved his numbers.

Monken emphasized the need for improvement across the team, stating that the issues were not solely Watson's fault. He noted that Watson had limited practice time with the full playbook after recovering from an injury. The Browns will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next, and another loss could heighten pressure on the team. Sanders, who was drafted in the fifth round in 2025, remains the backup and could be called upon if Watson's performance does not improve.