Cleveland Browns name Deshaun Watson starting quarterback

The Cleveland Browns have named Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback for the upcoming season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Todd Monken stated that Watson provides the best opportunity to move the ball and score points, despite recent preseason struggles and criticism from fans.

The decision has sparked significant controversy. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III claimed that the decision was not Monken’s, but rather a front-office move to ensure Watson plays to fulfill his $230 million guaranteed contract. This comes amid ongoing backlash regarding Watson’s history of sexual misconduct allegations and his recent verbal criticism of Browns fans who booed him during a preseason game.

While Monken noted that the decision is not a “week-to-week” issue regarding other players like Shedeur Sanders, the team continues to face scrutiny. Some analysts suggest the choice places immense pressure on Monken’s coaching tenure, while others point to the strong preseason performance of Dillon Gabriel as a reason to reconsider the depth chart. Additionally, Amazon Prime faced social media backlash for its positive coverage of Watson during a recent broadcast.