Despite both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders playing in the first preseason game for the Browns, a decision on QB1 has not been made.
The Cleveland Browns still have not made a decision on who will be the starting quarterback to start the year. Both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders saw action against the Chicago Bears in their first preseason game. After the game, head coach Todd Monken reiterated the competition for QB1 was still open.
Now, a timeline for a decision is being revealed per NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
“The quarterback decision for the Browns is likely a week away. The goal for the Cleveland coaches is to take this stretch of camp and create a sort of apples-for-apples final exam on Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Saturday, with Watson getting the reps with the first team, was the first phase of that. This week’s joint practice with Buffalo will allow for Todd Monken’s staff to generate scenarios and situations for both guys and test them. And then this coming Saturday, Sanders will rep with the first team against the Bills,” Breer wrote.
Watson got the start for the Browns in the first preseason game. He went 11 for 25 for 126 yards. He also led the Browns on their only touchdown drive of the game. Meanwhile, Sanders took over for Watson, going six for 11 in the game for 79 yards, but also with a bad interception. Regardless, Monken wants to see Sanders getting reps with the first group.
“To me, Shedeur has [progressed] in terms of his operation and progressions in the pass game, and command of the huddle,” Monken said of Sanders. “That’s where he’s come the furthest, really understanding. It was a new system, right? O.K., what are we asking him to do? And then how is he operating? And he’s come the furthest. Deshaun has been through this. He’s a veteran. He understands. He’s been through systems. So Shadeur had the furthest to go. And that was tough. So what has he done? He’s put himself in that conversation. Because obviously, Deshaun’s going to look like there’s still something in there. … Now, where does it go from there? I don’t know. “
The Browns’ next preseason game is on August 22 against the Buffalo Bills at home. They will then start working towards a decision for the season opener on September 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Cleveland Browns still have not made a decision on who will be the starting quarterback to start the year. Both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders saw action against the Chicago Bears in their first preseason game. After the game, head coach Todd Monken reiterated the competition for QB1 was still open.
