By Ben Jenkins, Podcast Manager  

Yet another year is starting with Quarterback Drama, injuries and dysfunction for the Cleveland Browns. 

Cleveland’s new head coach, Todd Monkin, inherited one of the most interesting quarterback rooms in the NFL.  

The infamous Deshaun Watson, who the Browns traded three first picks for back in 2021, is returning after over 650 days from his Achilles tear. Watson, who has struggled mightily in his tenure with the Browns, has been named the week one starter, much to the dismay of many Browns fans. 

Watson was booed after taking the field for the Browns vs. Bills preseason game in Cleveland.  

“Last time I played on this field I tore my Achilles. That same fan base cheered when I got hurt. What does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially for your own city and they cheer?” Watson said at the post-game pressor.  

The very clear dislike of Watson from the Cleveland faithful is fueling the Shedeur Sanders agenda amongst Brown’s fans.

“Shedeur should have been the starter for week one, he’s younger and gives us at least a little bit of hope,” sophomore Sports Management Major and lifelong Browns fan Ay’den Pettis said this regarding Cleveland’s quarterback battle.

Sanders, who threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his rookie season has had an up and down training camp and preseason so far.  

Through three quarters of action Sanders has 153 yards, one touchdown and two picks. Watson has 162 yards, zero touchdowns, and two picks in the same amount of action. 

Neither quarterback has managed to separate on the stat sheet, but Head Coach Todd Monken named Watson the starter, saying he believes that Watson gives them the best chance to win. 

Injuries have also hit the Browns hard to start the year. Alex Wright, starting defensive end who put up five and a half sacks last year, has been ruled out for the season after tearing his Achilles in practice last week. 

This marks a huge loss for an already shorthanded Browns defensive unit. As well as Wright, key offensive linemen have been in and out of practices for the entirety of training camp so far.  

Offensive guards Elgton Jenkins and Tevin Jenkins, who were just brought in this past offseason, have both dealt with nagging injuries. Right tackle Tytus Howard has joined them on the injury list, but no details were given to the press regarding the injury. 

There have been bright spots for the Browns, specifically regarding rookie receivers like K.C. Conception and Denzel Boston. Conception, the 24th pick in this past draft, was named the MVP of the Browns and Bills joint practices.  

Denzel Boston, a second rounder from Washington, has also impressed throughout training camp. After trotting out one of the most lackluster wide receiver rooms in 2025 the two rookies will seemingly be able to change the narrative on Browns pass catchers.    

With the 2026 regular season looming, Clevland still seems to have more questions than answers in many areas.  

With the fanbase’s clear hatred of Deshaun Watson, the staff will have a big decision to make regarding the quarterback decision in their week three home opener. Injuries continue to pile up on both sides of the ball testing the depth and the second unit of Cleveland. 

These questions will need to be answered before the Browns week one matchup in Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars.