Former NFL QB accuses Browns of forcing Todd Monken to name Deshaun Watson QB1

The Cleveland Browns announced Monday, August 24, that Deshaun Watson was their starting quarterback to begin the 2026 NFL season.

Despite a close race between him and Shedeur Sanders, Watson got the starting job and will be the Week 1 starter against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, the Browns, according to a former NFL quarterback, might've forced this decision on Todd Monken.

According to Robert Griffin III, the Browns forced their hand, making Monken choose Watson as the starting QB despite "many in the building" believing Sanders should be QB1.

Browns accused of forcing Todd Monken to name Deshaun Watson as QB1

"Sources tell me Deshaun Watson WAS NOT Todd Monken's choice as the starter, and many in the building thought Shedeur Sanders was the right move for the team on and off the field after Watson attacked the fans," Griffin shared. "Browns want Deshaun to play for his pay. The fans deserve better."

This is a very bold claim from Griffin, but it's not the first time he's had a strong stance on this Browns quarterback competition.

He previously accused the Browns of rigging this QB competition from the start in Watson's favor, especially in the second preseason game, where Sanders had to play without the starting offense while Watson did in Week 1.

This is a tenuous situation with Watson as the starter in Cleveland, and now Griffin is accusing the Browns of forcing this decision on Monken.

MORE: Why Browns are making a massive mistake with Deshaun Watson as QB1 over Shedeur Sanders

There is nothing substantial about this claim from Griffin, but assuming for one second that this is true, it would be a horrible look for Monken and the Browns.

It's hard to believe this is what actually happened, especially since Sanders didn't do significantly better to justify such a conspiracy theory/rumor.

There were probably people within the Browns' facility who were hoping Sanders, the QB with the much greater upside, would be the starter. But Watson getting the nod, while egregious to some, is understandable.

He's nearing the end of his mammoth $230 million contract, and cutting him would hurt their books in the near future. Plus, the Browns pivoting to Sanders mid-season would be a significantly better look than benching Sanders for Watson.

But, at the end of the day, Griffin's accusation that the Browns forced Monken to name Watson the starting QB seems a bit too far-fetched.

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