The Cleveland Browns have chosen Deshaun Watson as their starting NFL quarterback, but Marcus Spears believes they made the wrong call.
Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show, Spears argued that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders should have received the QB1 job.
“It’s simple for me,” Spears said. “Shedeur Sanders should be the starter one, because you need to figure out if he can play at a very high level.”
Cleveland ended its quarterback competition Monday, with coach Todd Monken selecting Watson over Sanders for the Sept. 13 opener against Jacksonville. The Browns evaluated both quarterbacks throughout the offseason, training camp and preseason.
Spears believes the decision reflects more than football evaluation. He pointed toward Watson’s fully guaranteed $230 million contract as a major factor behind Cleveland’s choice.
“This is ownership unwilling to make a, to admit that they made a tremendous mistake bringing Deshaun Watson in,” Spears said.
Spears questions Browns’ quarterback strategy around Shedeur Sanders
Watson completed 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards, no touchdowns and one interception during the preseason. Sanders completed 15 of 22 attempts for 153 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
The numbers did not create a decisive statistical gap, but Sanders showed enough to keep the debate alive. Watson also struggled in the Browns’ 31-7 loss to Buffalo, completing only five of 12 passes for 36 yards.
For Spears, Cleveland should prioritize discovering whether Sanders can become a long-term answer.
“If he plays well and you still want to move on because you got those first-round picks,” Spears said, “now you’ve increased value for a trade.”
That approach would make sense for a team still trying to establish its quarterback structure. Instead, Cleveland will give Watson another opportunity after injuries and suspension limited him to 19 games across four seasons.
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Deshaun Watson now faces immediate pressure
Spears also questioned whether Watson’s contract has distorted Cleveland’s football decisions.
“This had nothing to do with Todd Monken or Andrew Berry,” Spears said. “This is about $230 guaranteed to a player.”
The Browns have little margin for error with Watson entering the season. He has not played a regular-season game since suffering his Achilles injury in October 2024.
From a team-building standpoint, Monken must now maximize Watson while keeping Sanders prepared. If Watson struggles, the Browns will quickly face renewed pressure to turn toward their younger quarterback.
Spears’ argument centers on evaluation, not emotion. Cleveland chose experience and investment, while Sanders represents the unanswered question that could shape the franchise’s next phase.
