Deshaun Watson named Cleveland Browns starting quarterback, AP source says

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson has won the competition to be the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback for the Sept. 13 opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press on Monday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because coach Todd Monken has not publicly announced the move.

Watson, a 10-year veteran, won the competition over Shedeur Sanders as both split reps with the first unit throughout the offseason, training camp and the preseason.

The decision will not be popular with Browns fans, who have booed Watson repeatedly during his time in Cleveland.

Monken said Sunday that Watson’s comments after the Browns’ 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday were not expected to play a deciding factor in his final decision.

Watson has started only 19 games for Cleveland since being acquired from Houston in 2022 and signing a fully guaranteed, $230 million contract that will likely go down as perhaps one of the worst trades and contract in NFL history. He is 9-10 with the Browns with 19 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and an 80.7 passer rating.

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