Browns decline to name starting QB for Week 10 after report Deshaun Watson would return

Shedeur Sanders got his first start of the 2026 NFL season in Week 9 … and he may be in for another one. A day after Sanders nearly led the team to an overtime victory, Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken refused to name a starter for Week 10.

Monken's comments come after an early report Monday suggested Deshaun Watson would return to the starting lineup vs. the Houston Texans.

Watson — who previously started every game for the Browns this season — missed the team's Week 9 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints due to a concussion. Though Watson cleared concussion protocol Friday, the team held him out of Sunday's game.

With Watson healthy, an early report Monday suggested he would start for the team in Week 10, per ESPN. But Monken wouldn't commit to that, though the coach may be keeping things quiet for gamesmanship purposes.

In Watson's absence, Sanders threw for 297 yards and two passing touchdowns in a narrow 23-22 overtime loss to the Saints. Sanders was nearly the hero of the game, finding tight end Harold Fannin on a 39-yard touchdown in overtime to bring the deficit to one point.

But the Browns decided against playing for the tie, and went for a potential game-winning two-point conversion with just over three minutes to play in overtime. Sanders' pass to wideout Denzel Boston fell incomplete, however, resulting in the Browns losing the game.

While Sanders' numbers look OK, the shift back to Watson makes sense. The veteran led the team to a 5-3 record in eight starts. His numbers haven't been elite — Watson has seven touchdowns and three interceptions on the year — but he's managed games effectively enough to pick up victories.

On top of that, Watson would face his former franchise if he returned to the starting lineup this week. That might give both the quarterback and head coach some added motivation to get Watson back in the starting lineup.

After starting seven games for the Browns down the stretch last season, Sanders hasn't received much playing time in 2026. Since losing a training camp battle to Watson, Sanders had attempted just three passes prior to Sunday's start against the Saints.

With the loss, the Browns dropped to 5-4 on the season. The playoffs are still in play, which could lead to the franchise turning things back over to Watson.

No matter what decision the Browns make, Sanders will likely play a role with the franchise down the stretch. If Cleveland falls out of the hunt or Watson falters, the team has every incentive to give Sanders a long look. With Watson's contract up after the season, the Browns need to figure out whether Sanders is a player worth building around or if another quarterback needs to be brought in for 2027.