Shedeur Sanders to Serve as Backup Quarterback for Browns

The Cleveland Browns have announced that Shedeur Sanders will begin the 2026 NFL season as the backup quarterback, with Deshaun Watson named the starter for Week 1.

Despite a strong preseason performance where Sanders completed a higher percentage of his passes than Watson, the Browns opted for Watson, citing his experience and overall body of work. Head coach Todd Monken emphasized that the decision was not expected to change week-to-week, although he acknowledged Sanders' development and potential for the future.

Sanders' completion rate was 68.2%, compared to Watson's 59.3%, but the Browns evaluated more than just statistics. They considered practice performance, decision-making, and consistency. As the season progresses, Sanders must remain prepared for any opportunity that may arise, especially given Watson's injury history. The Browns' season opener is against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13.