NFL Fans Sound Off on Shedeur Sanders Losing to Deshaun Watson in Browns' QB1 Battle

The Cleveland Browns finally made a decision on their starting quarterback for the 2026 season.

On Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that veteran Deshaun Watson has been named the Browns' starter for their Sept. 13 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, beating out second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders.

Fans on social media had a lot to say about Sanders losing Cleveland's quarterback competition to Watson:

Sanders and Watson had been engaged in a quarterback competition throughout the offseason. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Cleveland's decision "truly came down to the end," and the team ultimately "leaned toward Watson's experience." Schultz went on to add that Watson "will have to continue earning" his starting role once the 2026 season officially starts.

Still, some are questioning the Browns' decision after watching Sanders and Watson in Saturday's 31-7 preseason loss against the Buffalo Bills. Sanders went 9-of-11 for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while Watson was just 5-of-12 for 36 yards and a pick. Watson also drew some attention after the game when he slammed Cleveland fans for booing him while he was on the field.

Before Cleveland's decision on Monday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that Sanders had a different air around him than Watson.

"I will say about Shedeur Sanders, when I talk to people with the Browns, the word 'presence,' the word 'aura,' comes up," Fowler said on Sunday's episode of SportsCenter. "Like he has something to him that has certainly helped his cause."

In the end, the Browns chose experience over aura, and they will be hoping that Watson can prove that they made the right choice by having Sanders start the year as their backup quarterback.