Stephen A. picks Deshaun Watson OVER Shedeur Sanders? to be the Browns’ starting QB 😯 | First Take

On First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Clark join Shae Cornette to decide whether Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders should be the Cleveland Browns’ starting QB.

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41 comments

  1. So he wasn't found criminally guilty. There wasn't enough evidence based off two separate grand juries. So he's not a criminal at all. It sucks the optics will always follow him, this is gonna hang over him. But realistically, both for football and off the field, he should start. He's a proven starter over both sanders and Gabriel, and I like Gabriel way more. The only point I see against him, that has evidence and isn't feelings based, is that he's been hurt. How rusty is he, and how much is the injury gonna keep him down? If he can overcome it, it's a bad decision to NOT start him. Taking away all of the allegations and stuff.

  2. I DISAGREE WITH STEPHEN A. SMITH,,,,I WOULD GO WITH SHEDEUR SANDERS,,,BUILD AROUND ROOKIE QB ON ROOKIE SALARY,,,
    I WOULD TEST THE TRADE WATERS FOR DESHAUN WATSON!!!

  8. Stop it the Browns are already making up for the loss in Watson contract with Sanders why would they stop that momentum? Cleveland fans would boo Watson worse than Gabriel if he were to start the 2026 season. We all saw what Stefanski did 2025 and wasted the season and then he finally puts Shedeur in at the end and that where most of their season wins came from.

  9. Buddy aint play ball elite since 2020 give him his money and let him go. 2 is ready to go its his time now ppl paying attention to the Browns thats because of S2 get that line right get some WRs lets roll

  10. I say if I was the owner of the Browns, I would give Watson another shot to redeem himself. I believe he has exhibited abilities that would lead me to believe he has a higher ceiling than Gabriel or Shadeur. And, with that hefty investment, you really have no choice but to give him another chance at starting.

  19. They both stink. Gabriel had better numbers than Sanders but since the owner is buddy buddy with Deon, DG won't see another snap. This organization is terrible.

  20. Nobody states the obvious Kevin Stafanski was a bad offensive coordinator slash coach. Try to kill Baker career Kill Watson career and would kill Shedeur career if they didn’t fire him. Now he’s in Atlanta already killing Michael career Cleveland got rid of the cancer now all they got to do is get rid of the cancer Cleveland media Watson and Shedeur going to be ok.

  26. Watson ranked near the bottom of the NFL in efficiency among starters before his season conveniently ended with an Achilles injury in Week 7 of the 2024 season. His blistering 5.3 yards per attempt and elite 21 QBR really showcased a daring, high‑octane offense — if the goal was to never stress a defense. Meanwhile, 33 sacks in 7 games politely informed us that pocket awareness and processing speed were optional. The Deshaun Watson of 2020 didn’t just leave the building — he’s a distant memory. This version of Deshaun is clearly running on fumes.

  29. Browns should trade multiple first round picks(both first rounders this year, and one next year), plus Sanders, to the Raiders for the number pick this year.

    Hear me out.

    Sanders works out during the offseason with the Raiders owner Tom Brady, been doing that for years, including back when he was in HS and college. So the familiarity is there and Tom has a great relationship with Neon Deion. And let’s be honest, the Raiders are not Mendoza away from being a good competitive team. They have so many holes to fill. No one is spectacular them to make noise this year, particularly in their division, even with Mendoza.

    Sanders could have a chance to grow with a bunch of young picks, and if it works out great, if not they still have first round picks multiple picks to try and get another QB next year in a draft where more top flight QB’s may be available – while also spending the season building this team/roster out.

    Whereas the Browns have an ownership that does not like Sanders and didn’t want him anyways. Mendoza brings his very close fan club to Cleveland(Indiana is very close). The Browns have a locked in defense that could support a young QB. And they have Watson, whom ownership also likes, to fall back on if it does not work out. Plus, those picks are ultimately worthless to Cleveland, as they mostly miss on them anyways.

  30. Stephen A said Watson only played 19 games in Cleveland. So that means it only took him 19 games to get 3 possible career ending injuries and surgeries and he should be the starter?

  35. Disagree with Stephen A this time. You start sanders you brought the coach in who coached Lamar. Sanders made the pro bowl it's to see if he plays at a pro bowl level this year. But since he throws alot of picks I give him 4 or 5 games. Then watson the same amount if not that Gabriel the rest of the season. If Gabriel gets the stats he did last year he comes back next year sanders and Watson gets let go after the season draft a new QB. Moore from Oregon

  39. He shouldn't be the starter if he doesn't out preform Sheduer just because Cleveland paid him a healthy contract doesn't mean you play him you start the qb that gives you the best chance to win.

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