Browns HC Todd Monken reveals why Deshaun Watson is starting QB over Shedeur Sanders

The Cleveland Browns have decided on their Week 1 starting quarterback, naming Deshaun Watson the starter just days after expressing frustration at the Browns' fanbase for booing him in his recent preseason game.

Todd Monken has gone with the veteran in Watson over the second-year QB Shedeur Sanders. But why? Well, the sunk cost fallacy with Watson is certainly playing a factor, but Monken revealed a different reason for the decision.

Jonathan Jones of The Athletic shared that Monken, in speaking with reporters after the big QB1 decision, made Watson the starter because he gives Cleveland the "best chance" to score points and move the ball this upcoming season.

Todd Monken reveals why Browns went Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders

"Browns coach Todd Monken says Watson gives the team the best chance to move the ball and score points," Jones reports. "He says the team is excited about Shedeur Sanders's future, but 'this is not a week-to-week decision.'"

Monken makes a few things clear with this press conference answer. For one, the Browns made this decision with the belief that Watson will move the ball better than Sanders.

Sanders went 9-for-11 for 74 yards with a touchdown and one interception in Week 2 of the preseason against the Buffalo Bills. Watson, against the Bills' backup defense, went 5-for-12 for just 36 yards with no touchdowns and one pick.

Sure, Watson was better in the first preseason game, but he got to work with the entire starting offense. Sanders did not. He drew the short end of the stick in this QB competition, but was actually about equal in total production.

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Over these two preseason games, Watson went 16-for-27 for 162 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Sanders went 15-for-22 for 153 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

But despite there not being a huge difference in their production, the Browns have gone with Watson, with the belief that he will be able to move the ball better than Sanders.

Also, Sanders, now the backup, won't have a clear chance at playing time, with Monken saying this won't be a "week-to-week" competition.

For now, this is Watson's QB1 job, and barring injury or some terrible production to begin the season, he's going to keep this job.

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