Shedeur Sanders will not open the season as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback, but the messages from his former and current head coaches remain overwhelmingly positive.
Browns head coach Todd Monken named Deshaun Watson the starter for Cleveland’s Week 1 road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Monken said Watson gave the Browns their best opportunity to move the ball and score points after the coaching staff evaluated the entire offseason, training camp and preseason.
Back in Boulder, Deion Sanders offered a brief but telling assessment of his son’s performance.
“We all know what’s transpiring with Shedeur, although he’s playing extremely well,” Coach Prime said.
That assessment aligns with what Monken said while explaining one of his first significant decisions as Cleveland’s head coach.
Shedeur Sanders made it a close competition
Watson entered the offseason ahead of Sanders, but Monken acknowledged that the former Colorado quarterback significantly narrowed the distance between them.
“Ultimately, we felt over the course of training camp and the offseason that he was ahead of Shedeur,” Monken said. “Shedeur’s closed that gap. I mean, for sure. And that’s a credit to him.”
Monken said the decision was difficult because both quarterbacks “competed their rear ends off.” He also emphasized that the Browns remain excited about the former Colorado Buffaloes superstar despite choosing the more experienced quarterback.
“I think Shedeur has done a great job, come a long ways, and we’re excited about his future,” Monken said. “But this is not a week-to-week decision.”
Perhaps the most encouraging development was how Sanders received the news. Monken met privately with him and came away impressed by the quarterback’s perspective.
“We met this morning for a good long time, and all he had was a smile on his face because he understands what really is in front of him,” Monken said. “This is a player...he’s going to work his butt off to get better, and he has already.”
Cleveland’s opening schedule could keep the conversation alive
Monken was clear that Watson’s selection is not intended to become a weekly decision. The Browns are backing him as their starter and expect him to play well.
Still, plans can change quickly in the NFL.
Cleveland begins its season with consecutive road games against Jacksonville and Tampa Bay before returning home to face Carolina in Week 3. If Watson struggles during that opening road swing, calls for the Browns to reconsider the position would likely grow before their home opener.
Sanders may not be Cleveland’s Week 1 starter, but nothing either coach said made his opportunity feel far away.
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