Browns' Todd Monken not ready to name starting QB; Sanders scores, Watson peeved by boos

Shedeur Sanders' first start of the preseason was delayed by lightning. It's only fitting that once play resumed, he delivered a touchdown strike.

Whether it will end up being the final blow in Cleveland's quarterback battle with Deshaun Watson remains to be seen.

Sanders was under center for four non-kneel-down drives in Saturday's 31-7 loss to Buffalo, leading one TD march and throwing an interception on another possession.

Was it enough for the second-year QB to earn the starting gig? Browns coach Todd Monken had mostly positive things to say after the game about Sanders' play and approach.

“There’s a lot there to like," Monken said. "He plays with a certain amount of confidence. He has gotten a lot better at getting rid of the ball. Certainly, he wants to make a play.

“I thought he did a lot of good things. I'm really proud of him and where he’s come from the moment I got here until now. Very impressive."

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Watson completed five of 12 passes for 36 yards and an interception in the second half, making his first appearance in Cleveland since his 2024 season-ending injury. The veteran QB heard Cleveland boobirds on most of his drives, none of which ended in scores.

"I was disappointed for us collectively, that we didn't play well offensively, I'll just put it that way," Monken said when asked about Watson's play. "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."

Watson addressed the booing in his postgame presser, telling reporters the fan response was "disrespectful."

"It has nothing to do about the performance. It's a little bit [more] personal than that," Watson said. "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?"

Sanders said on the broadcast that he didn't "respect" the booing from Browns fans.

Saturday's outing came after Watson and Sanders enjoyed mixed results in their preseason opener, with the veteran getting the start.

Monken had intimated throughout the summer that he expected to make a QB1 decision around this time of the preseason. By Saturday afternoon, he was not ready to make a definitive call.

“Well, at some point, I'm gonna have to decide, right?" Monken said. "I'm saying it kinda jokingly, like at some point, we've got to get that guy the reps. So I'm not gonna paint myself into a corner. Optimally, you'd liked to have given a player all of the reps, and you know who the one is. We've done it as best we could as a staff, trying to work through this.

"We'll watch the tape tomorrow."

Pressed if he needed another week of play to decide his starting QB, Monken responded, "I'll wait 'til we see it tomorrow. Again, I'm just gonna wait 'til then, 'til I get to watch the tape and talk to the staff.”

Cleveland next plays on Thursday, back at home against the Patriots. Whether Sanders or Watson will play remains to be seen, as does whether one or the other will be named the starter by then.

If Browns fans have their way -- judging by the boos -- Sanders will be the guy. But it's first up to Monken, his staff and the tape.