Against all logic and common sense, the Cleveland Browns just named Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback for Week 1. This was always the most likely outcome, but after Watson's meltdown during Saturday's postgame presser, fans still held out hope that it could change.
To say this is a controversial decision is a massive understatement. It's a move that's already casting doubt over Todd Monken's first season and actual say in decision-making. Fair or not, this will definitely impact his credibility among fans.
However, the tape and the numbers don't lie, and Browns fans can be pretty brutal when they want to. That's why this dangerous experiment can only end one way — with Shedeur Sanders taking over as Watson gets booed off the field.
Notably, that might happen earlier than expected.
Prediction: Deshaun Watson won't make it past Week 4
The Browns kick off the season with back-to-back road games at Jacksonville and Tampa Bay. Watson and Cleveland's offense will almost certainly struggle in those games, but the team can hide him from Browns fans on the road. That won't be the case when they return home in Week 3 to play two games in five days.
The game to circle is Thursday Night Football, Week 4, against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Watson will be met with the loudest boos and jeers he's ever heard in that nationally-televised game, and Huntington Bank Field will be boiling with thousands of livid fans on every snap. That's unsustainable.
Here's the prediction: Watson gets benched during that game. He gets booed off the field, reacts negatively to the fans, and likely even makes his way to the locker room to avoid the cameras. Shedeur Sanders takes the field and plays well enough, with the thousands of boos turning into cheers and bringing a semblance of hope to Cleveland.
Monken will then have to name him the starter for Week 5, a winnable road game against the New York Jets. With 10 days to prepare, Sanders gets named the starter for the rest of the season. The Deshaun Watson nightmare in Cleveland finally ends, though the team will still have to deal with the massive dead cap hit stemming from the worst trade and contract in franchise history.
Starting Watson is a disservice to the organization, the young players, and the fans. He clearly can't wait for the chance to play elsewhere. If he couldn't deal with a half-empty stadium booing his poor play in a meaningless preseason game, how is he supposed to deal with adversity on the road?
Watson isn't an NFL quarterback anymore. Sanders might not be Tom Brady, but at least the players seem to believe in him, and he's shown steady signs of improvement.
Browns fans have spoken, and it will only get uglier after Watson's tone-deaf rant over the weekend. This will only be a distraction and create a toxic environment, which can only hurt morale and the young roster's development.
Everyone deserves better, but fortunately, it won't last long.
It can't.
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