The fact that the Cleveland Browns have named Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback is already worthy of criticism. However, their handling of backup Shedeur Sanders raises even more questions. Op-Ed.

It’s never easy when you have multiple quarterbacks on the roster who are potential starters—but none of them are convincing. And yet the impression lingers: The Cleveland Browns are doing everything wrong that can possibly be done wrong.

Deshaun Watson is probably the most unpopular player in the NFL—even among his own fans. When the quarterback tore his Achilles tendon in October 2024, the crowd cheered. When he made his comeback in the preseason, he was booed.

The reasons are well known: Despite his mega-contract worth over $230 million, Watson has performed poorly almost consistently so far. On top of that, there were allegations of sexual harassment.

He later reached out-of-court settlements with most of his accusers. Although he was never convicted of a crime, the public has not forgotten the allegations.

Watson regrets “nothing in his life”

Watson knows this. Yet he doesn’t even try to show a shred of remorse or humility. During a press conference, he fiddled with his earring and described the fans’ behavior as “disrespectful.”

He knows, just like everyone else, “that it’s not about performance, but about something personal.” He chose to keep his thoughts on the matter to himself. Then he added that he “has no regrets about anything in his life.”

In doing so, Watson has achieved the impossible: he has made himself even more unpopular than he already is. The fact that he later apologized to the fans in a lengthy statement is unlikely to improve the situation much.

Deshaun Watson’s lack of awareness is fascinating pic.twitter.com/8vO1H7AVtP

— Will Compton (@_willcompton) August 23, 2026

Away games as an advantage at the start of the season

In any case, the question arises as to whether the decision to start Watson early on actually came from Head Coach Todd Monken. It’s also possible that team owner Jimmy Haslam applied pressure, insisting that the expensive quarterback be given another chance.

It’s almost an advantage that the Cleveland Browns’ first two games of the season are on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before Watson is likely to be booed again at home.

After all, the Browns still have a trump card up their sleeve. If Watson doesn’t work out—and the odds are high that he won’t—backup Shedeur Sanders could take over. While the 24-year-old doesn’t necessarily play at Pro Bowl level, he at least showed some promise in his first NFL season.

He’d need more playing time to take the next step. But he won’t get it.

Gabriel Instead of Sanders in the Final Preseason Game

Instead, Dillon Gabriel, the No. 3 quarterback, will start in Thursday’s final preseason game against the New England Patriots.

What could be the reason behind this decision? Perhaps Monken wants to prevent Sanders from putting on a stellar performance, which could lead fans to demand him as the starting quarterback and cause discontent toward Watson to grow further.

If such mental games are indeed influencing the Browns’ roster decisions, their season would be ruined before it has even begun.