Why Shedeur Sanders might have to wait until after Week 4 to start for Browns

The Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson the team's starting quarterback, forcing Shedeur Sanders into the QB2 role for Cleveland to begin the season.

Before the season began, there was a chance the Browns would have turned to Sanders in Week 3 had Watson struggled through the first two weeks of the season. But after a Week 2 win and a solid game, Watson is still the starter for the home opener.

So, with Watson starting Week 3, when will Sanders get his chance to start? The Athletic's Jonathan Jones shared why the Browns are not likely to turn to Sanders until after Week 4 at the earliest, barring catastrophe in Week 3.

Shedeur Sanders likely to have to wait to be named Browns' starting QB

"The Browns play in Pittsburgh on Thursday, so anything better than terrible play Sunday likely guarantees Watson a fourth start," Jones reports.

Sanders is the backup quarterback in Week 3 for the home opener and is looking very likely to be the team's backup for Week 4 as well.

With the Browns playing on Thursday Night Football in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, there isn't a lot of time to make a QB switch.

Besides, Watson isn't playing terribly so far. In two games, Watson has a 76.9% completion percentage with 443 passing yards, three touchdowns, one interception, a 112.9 passer rating, seven sacks taken, and one fumble.

His Week 2 performance in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers guaranteed he would keep the starting QB job for Week 3 over Sanders, as Watson went 24 of 30 for 238 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers.

MORE: Todd Monken hits back at Mike Tomlin after first win as Browns coach: 'F— that'

Jones' report indicates that unless Watson has a horrible Week 3 performance against the Carolina Panthers during the home opener, he'll be the Week 4 starter on a short week.

Even if the Browns lose and Watson struggles a little bit, the Browns might keep him as the starter for Week 4's Thursday Night Football matchup against the Steelers.

After Week 4, however, could be a good time for Sanders to get his first start of the season. Back-to-back losses to the Panthers and Steelers, with poor performances from Watson, could pave the way for Sanders to be named the Week 5 starting QB.

But for now, Watson has firm control of the starting quarterback job. At least for the next two weeks, barring an injury or one of the worst performances of his professional career in Week 3.

Sanders and those hoping to see him get another chance with this remade offense are likely going to have to wait a little while before seeing him take the field this season.

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