Browns HC Says He Doesn't Care If Fans Support Deshaun Watson-Shedeur Sanders QB1 Decision

Cleveland Browns fans may be unhappy with Deshaun Watson as the team's starting quarterback, but head coach Todd Monken doesn't particularly care.

"Absolutely not," Monken told reporters Tuesday when discussing whether outside opinions would impact his decision. "Would I prefer that we were all on the same page? Yeah, but that has nothing to do with my decision, and it can't ever have anything to do with my decisions. My decision has to be what's best for the Browns Week One, all the way through the season, and as long as I'm the head coach here."

Monken is correct in the belief the only thing that should impact his decision-making process is what improves the Browns' chances of winning.

Still, Watson hasn't exactly done much to improve those chances since he arrived.

While the Clemson product was once one of the best quarterbacks in the league when he was with the Houston Texans, injuries and suspension have limited him to just 19 games since joining the Browns before the 2022 campaign.

He is just 9-10 in those 19 starts with 19 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions, which stands in stark contrast to his tenure with the Texans that saw him lead the league in passing yards in 2020 and make three straight Pro Bowls.

The problem for Monken and Cleveland is Shedeur Sanders doesn't exactly offer a surefire alternative.

The 2025 fifth-round pick had seven touchdown passes to 10 interceptions with an abysmal 18.9 QBR in eight appearances during his rookie campaign. He looked every bit the part of a rookie struggling to adjust to the sport's highest level, and there is no guarantee he will be any better than Watson if he does play.

For now, Watson will be the team's starter. But fans will surely start calling for Sanders if the veteran struggles out of the gate.

To hear Monken tell it, though, that won't impact who is under center for the AFC North team.