The Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback this week, ending the team’s quarterback battle ahead of the third preseason game. Browns head coach Todd Monken made the decision he wanted to make before the final preseason contest, and Watson won the job over Shedeur Sanders, who will serve as the backup. 

The battle for the third roster spot will play out between Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green through the rest of the preseason.

Watson had figured to be leading the quarterback competition for some time slightly, but a twist emerged over the weekend. Watson played poorly against the Bills, going 5-of-12 for just 36 yards with one interception against Buffalo’s backups on Saturday. Sanders clearly outplayed him, and Watson’s postgame comments about the fans booing him raised eyebrows. The comments were harsh for a professional athlete, particularly a quarterback as highly paid as Watson, and the kind of thing no team wants their fanbase hearing.

The combination of the poor performance and the postgame reaction looked like it could potentially open the door for Watson to lose the starting job ahead of Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That didn’t happen.

Todd Monken makes it clear the Deshaun Watson decision was purely football

Monken was asked to start the week whether the fans’ feelings toward Watson weighed into the decision on the starting quarterback. Monken was straightforward with his answer.

“Absolutely not. Zero,” Monken said. “There was nothing to do with that. Ultimately, the fans want us to win. Ultimately, to put a good product on the field. That’s really what they want. And that’s our job as coaches, why we’re hired — to try to put the best product on the field. And when we don’t, then I understand their frustration. But ultimately, they don’t decide who plays. I mean, who would I be if I let someone outside of the building decide who plays?”

That’s a strong statement from Monken. He’s making his choice from a purely football standpoint, going with the player he believes best benefits the Browns this season by going with the quarterback he thinks can lead Cleveland’s offense to the most yards and the most points. He believes Watson is that guy despite a rough preseason showing.

It won’t be easy for Watson to start the season. Cleveland opens with two road games against the Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Watson will have to get through those contests before playing at home in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers.

That home opener will be telling. How the fans receive Watson and how he’s playing overall by that point will say a lot about whether Monken’s decision looks justified.