Lace Code readers, we are so back!!!

Here are my quick thoughts on Deshaun Watson starting over Shedeur Sanders.

Has Watson basically been ass since he came back from injury and was traded to Cleveland? Yes.

Did I want the Jets to trade for him when he was first available? Also yes.

Obviously, the off-the-field stuff was questionable, but at the time, the Jets needed a quarterback, and one of the top quarterbacks available was Watson. I never thought he would be this bad after missing so much time. I knew there would be some rust, and I knew injuries could potentially be an issue, but this is not what I expected.

His last season in Houston was absolutely ridiculous. Watson threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions, while also rushing for over 400 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Since arriving in Cleveland, though, he has not played a full season. He was suspended, then dealt with multiple injuries, and has never really looked like the quarterback we saw in Houston.

So when I see people up in arms about Watson starting over Shedeur, I understand it.

But y’all also need to realize the money involved.

The Browns owe Watson a massive amount of guaranteed money, and they are not going to happily pay that kind of money for him to sit on the bench.

Now, I don’t think a player’s contract should be the deciding factor in whether they play. Coaches are trying to win football games, and they see these players every single day in practice and throughout training camp. We don’t.

Maybe Watson has looked better than Shedeur throughout camp and the preseason.

Maybe Shedeur hasn’t shown enough yet to convince the coaching staff that he should be the starter.

We don’t know.

And that’s where I think some of the outrage gets a little ridiculous. From the outside, we can debate the decision all we want, but the Browns have information that we simply don’t have.

Now, if you’re looking at it from the owner’s perspective, I completely understand why they want to give Watson another opportunity.

Why would you want to pay someone that much money to sit on the bench?

Obviously, if Watson goes out there and is terrible, I could absolutely see Cleveland making the switch.

And honestly, I think that is probably the most likely scenario if Watson struggles early.

If Watson is awful or the Browns aren’t winning games, I 100% believe Shedeur will eventually get his opportunity and could end up finishing the season as the starter.

But if Sanders plays decently—or even surprisingly well—I think Cleveland could go into 2027 with him as the starter and have a much clearer plan for what they want to do moving forward.

Now, whether that actually happens?

Who knows.

It feels like the Browns have been in turmoil for most of my life, so I guess this is just another chapter in the story.

Then again, what can I say?

My team hasn’t exactly been much better recently.

Either way, I’m interested to see how this plays out.

Because if Watson struggles, you already know the question is coming:

When do we get Shedeur?

– Jett Garden