Shedeur Sanders waits as Deshaun Watson’s biggest concern becomes reality for the Browns
The Browns’ controversial quarterback decision is already under scrutiny after Deshaun Watson’s Week 1 mistake, while Shedeur Sanders waits for his opportunity.
It could be a long few weeks for fans hoping to see Shedeur Sanders return as the Cleveland Browns ’ starting quarterback. For now, Todd Monken appears committed to Deshaun Watson , who had a difficult start to the season.
The quarterback could not have started his latest opportunity as the Browns’ QB1 any worse. In the Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars , the veteran once again found himself at the center of criticism after throwing an interception in the first quarter, right after the team decided to stick with him despite the heavy controversy surrounding the decision.
An interception he was already throwing in training camp
The mistake raised concerns and created a sense of déjà vu for those who followed Cleveland’s training camp. Zac Jackson of The Athletic pointed out that Watson had shown similar issues with turnovers during practices leading up to the start of the season.
“The same pick he threw in practice four times a week for the entire month of August,” Jackson wrote on X , formerly Twitter.
During the preseason, Watson made several costly mistakes that increased doubts about his ability to regain the form that once made him one of the NFL’s most talented quarterbacks. Despite those concerns, the Browns chose him over rookie Shedeur Sanders, a decision that now puts even more pressure on the veteran.
Head coach Todd Monken bet on Watson’s experience, but the quarterback will need to respond quickly and prove Cleveland made the right choice.
Before the start of the season, Watson was asked about his future in the NFL and whether he feels the clock is starting to run out on his career.
“I can't focus on the future. I got to focus on now. You know, if I try to look ahead and I get distracted on not focusing on what I need to do now, then, you know, who knows what the future might hold,” Watson said.
“So all I can do is control these moments now, these opportunities I have now. And I want to be just like Todd Monken said, like, you know, he's 60, he feels like this is his shot. So, you know, me being on my last year of my deal and, you know, being Year 10, I feel like this is my opportunity to be up there, go and showcase that I can still play in this league. And I can; I want to continue to play in this league. So this is my opportunity to do that.”
Now, Watson faces a crucial season for his career, where every mistake will be heavily scrutinized and every game will serve as a test to justify the confidence the Browns placed in him.
