NFL Insider Jason La Canfora: Expect Shedeur Sanders To Start in Week 3

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is going to throw his rabid fanbase a bone.

Between Deshaun Watson’s insipid Week 1 performance, rising fan outrage over a brewing quarterback controversy, and his bizarre preseason comments toward supporters, this situation is rapidly coming to a head.

Given the way head coach Todd Monken, who had to capitulate to ownership on this issue, did not fully commit to a Week 2 starter, this is going in a particular direction.

Quickly.

The same execs around the league who told us Watson was always going to end up being the Week 1 starter for the Browns believe that by the time the Browns play their home opener in Week 3, Watson will be benched.

It could happen this week, of course, though that would be rather quick for a strategic move like this. If Haslam wanted Watson to have to take some hits and earn his paycheck and go through some things, yanking him after one game would be a little manic.

When the Browns return home to face a crowd already contemplating another lost season—especially after last Sunday’s brutal loss to Jacksonville—Haslam will be forced to recognize the optics.

The Dog Pound is contemplating what is to come, Haslam will recognize the optics of the situation and we strongly suspect it will be time for youngster Shedeur Sanders to take over.

More than anything else, Watson is committed to this bit, playing the role of game-killing heel.

He seemed intent on trying to throw an early interception against the Jaguars, he never really looked fired up to be playing, he embodied the idea that he is just there for the paycheck and it shows in pretty much everything he does on the football field.

League Sources: Watson is “Calling Their Bluff”

“He doesn’t want to be there,” one NFL GM told me. “He never wanted to be there.

“He’ll keep playing like s*** to see how fast they’ll pull him. He’s calling their bluff.”

Yes, friends, it really is that bad. And no, it probably doesn’t matter much in the end.

Numerous league sources have indicated to me that the locker room is already over this stunt, players on that roster are over the constant drama, and there is no leadership coming from Watson at all at this point.

“The guys in that locker room aren’t stupid,” said one agent who is close to a client on the Browns. “They can see through what’s going on there.”

Alas, it’s almost over.

Until Dillon Gabriel is healthy enough to come off Injured Reserve, and then it will be Sanders vs. Gabriel, as ownership tries to speed up the clock to 2027. Sadly, it’s always about the future and barely ever the present in Cleveland.

Who The Browns Want As Their No.1 Pick

“Haslam wants (Texas QB) Arch Manning, that’s what this is really all about,” said one longtime NFL personnel exec who knows the Browns well.

“I’m not sure he’s coming out (entering the draft). I know Jimmy, and I know how Jimmy thinks. He’s a huge booster for (University of) Tennessee. He has always had a hard-on for Peyton (Manning, uncle of the QB prospect). He wants Arch Manning playing in that new stadium.”

The Browns expect to be in their new enclosed stadium in 2029. Fair to say, whomever the QB is at that point is nowhere close to this roster right now.