RG3 Suggests Shedeur Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson QB1 Battle Wasn't Decided by Browns HC Monken

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III does not feel it was Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken's decision to name Deshaun Watson as his team's Week 1 starter over Shedeur Sanders.

Griffin wrote Wednesday on social media that "sources tell me Deshaun Watson was not Todd Monken's choice as the starter."

The Browns announced Monday Watson would be starting his team's regular season opener Sept. 13 at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Griffin has a longstanding friendship with Sanders' father, Colorado coach Deion Sanders. He previously said on social media the Browns starting Sanders would be "the right decision for football reasons."

Watson is heading into the final season of his five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns, which was part of a 2022 sign-and-trade with the Houston Texans that Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam referred to earlier this offseason as a "big swing-and-miss."

Monken previously told reporters that "ultimately, the quarterback decision will be mine."

He said Monday he spoke with general manager Andrew Berry before finalizing his QB1.

"I think any major decision is an organizational decision. Ultimately, I have to make that call... [Berry and I] had conversations about it and we landed on this," Monken said Monday.

The quarterback decision came shortly after Watson criticized Browns fans for booing him this preseason and cheering when he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in 2024.

Watson apologized for his comments shortly after the Browns named him the team's Week 1 starter.

Both Watson and Sanders saw playing time in the Browns' first two preseason games at the Chicago Bears Aug. 15 and against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday.

The Browns were learning toward Watson as their starter heading into last weekend's game against the Bills, Monken said Monday.

"Ultimately felt like, to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points," Monken said. "That's really what it's about."

Monken continued, "I think Shedeur has done a great job, come a long ways, and we're excited about his future, but this is not a week-to-week thing."

Sanders, who is signed through the 2028 season on his rookie deal, will for now head into Week 1 as a backup.

He could potentially see more playing time down the stretch should Watson struggle after making his return to regular-season action for the first time since 2024.