Linda Cohn Blasts Browns' $230 Million Watson Decision as Sanders Outplays Him in Preseason
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 26
Linda Cohn Blasts Browns' $230 Million Watson Decision as Sanders Outplays Him in Preseason
2 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 26
Summary
Linda Cohn said Todd Monken's choice of Deshaun Watson as Cleveland's 2026 starter was indefensible, arguing Shedeur Sanders had earned the job and suggesting ownership may be trying to justify Watson's contract.
19 games into his Browns tenure, Watson is 9-10 with 3,365 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, after missing all of last season and presiding over an offense Cohn said was last in the NFL when he last played meaningful snaps.
9-of-11 for 74 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo on Aug. 22 gave Sanders the stronger latest preseason showing, compared with Watson's 5-of-11 for 36 yards.
Monken said the decision came from evaluating the full offseason, training camp, joint practices and games, concluding Watson gave Cleveland the best chance to move the ball and score in the Sept. 13 opener at Jacksonville.
The call puts renewed focus on Watson's final season under the five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal he signed in 2022, with his Week 1 performance likely to intensify scrutiny if Cleveland struggles.