Deshaun Watson named Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders

BEREA, Ohio (AP) – Not plenty of thought Deshaun Watson had a chance of reclaiming the starting quarterback job with the Cleveland Browns over the past 22 months.

What happened

Since Watson ruptured his right Achilles tendon the first time in a Week 7 game in 2024, owner Jimmy Haslam had remarked during last year's owners' meetings that the Browns "took a big swing and miss" when they sent three first-round picks to Houston for the controversial quarterback in 2022.

After Shedeur Sanders had a solid first half in last Saturday's 31-7 loss to Buffalo, a frustrated Watson remarked the boos from the crowd were "personal" and demonstrated "disrespect" after he took the field in Cleveland for the first time in 22 months.

Despite the hurdles and a close competition with Sanders, Watson will be the Browns' starting quarterback for their Sept. 13 opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The bottom line

Taken together, the developments around deshaun Watson named Cleveland Browns starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.