Browns finally announce starting QB for first two preseason games

After months of speculation and back and forth, the Cleveland Browns finally gave their first true glimpse of what the quarterback pecking order might look like. With just a couple of days before the first dress rehearsal, head coach Todd Monken announced the starting quarterback.

As expected, Deshaun Watson will get the first opportunity to audition for the full-time job. He'll play the first half on Saturday vs. the Chicago Bears, with Shedeur Sanders taking over in the third quarter. Then, they'll reverse roles next week vs. the Buffalo Bills.

Monken always said both players would make at least one preseason start, so this doesn't necessarily mean Watson is already locked in as the starter. However, multiple signs point to him being in the driver's seat.

Deshaun Watson will start vs. the Bears, but Shedeur Sanders will play

Coach Monken told the media he made his decision early on Wednesday, but he'd inform the starters after practice and then make a public announcement. Notably, it came on one of the offense's most efficient days in training camp, with both starters finishing the afternoon with scoring drives.

Both Watson and Shedeur will get to play extensively during the preseason, with Monken adding that all starters with no injury designation or medical issues should also take the field. He also emphasized the importance of pass-protection, citing that it would also be crucial to determine how much the quarterbacks will play:

“We’re gonna see both of them. One is gonna start this week and one will start next week. They will play about a half and I’d like to see them get a two-minute (situation),” the coach said (h/t Zac Jackson).

Watson struggled early on in training camp before picking up in the second week. He looked sharper and more comfortable with more reps, and went off for a 17-for-20 day with seven touchdowns and no interceptions.

Ball security, however, remains a concern for the former Houston Texans quarterback, who tossed nine interceptions in the first 12 days of training camp. He's still ahead in the race, or so it seems, but sloppy football could seal his fate.

As for Sanders, he's reportedly made big strides in terms of footwork and throwing the ball away to avoid negative yardage. He's also taken solid care of the ball, though he's gotten away with multiple would-be sacks and needs to get the ball out quicker. He also has to work on his cadence.

The quarterback race might not be done, but it's clearly trending in one direction. And while this will continue to be a lingering issue over the season, it looks like this might be Deshaun Watson's job to lose for now.

We'll see after the first two preseason games.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow