Browns Set to Make QB1 Decision on Shedeur Sanders-Deshaun Watson Battle, HC Todd Monken Says

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken told reporters Sunday that he will name a starting quarterback on Monday following Saturday's 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in their second preseason game.

The decision is down to veteran Deshaun Watson and second-year man Shedeur Sanders.

Both Watson and Sanders were given once start each during the preseason. Watson started the first game, finishing 11-of-15 for 126 yards with a sack taken, while Sanders was 6-of-11 for 79 yards and a pick.

Sanders started the second game and finished 9-of-11 for 74 yards with a touchdown, interception and sack taken. Watson was awful, meanwhile, going 5-of-12 for 36 yards and an interception. He was booed during the contest from Cleveland fans and did not take kindly to the act.

"It has nothing to do about the performance. It's a little bit [more] personal than that," Watson told reporters. "Last time I played on this field I tore my Achilles, and that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt. What does that have to do with anything about performance?"

Monken offered a different perspective.

"I was disappointed for us collectively, that we didn't play well offensively, I'll just put it that way," he told reporters. "When you're behind the chains, it's hard. I know you asked him, 'Hey, how does it feel to get booed?' It's a pretty easy question. It sucks! I don't want to get booed, but it comes with the territory. You don't want to get booed? Play good football."

As for the quarterback battle, the consensus among pundits was that Watson should not be the starter following Sunday's performance, his controversial press conference and years of evidence in Cleveland that he isn't a viable option:

The Browns have two first-round picks next season in a strong quarterback draft. It's a borderline guarantee they will use one of them on the position. But at this point, giving Sanders a second chance to prove whether he can handle a starting gig or not is the most logical option.

Watson had multiple years to prove himself in Cleveland and never did, and that was before Sunday's contentious presser. If he's named the starter anyway, Sundays in Cleveland are going to be awkward affairs.