The Cleveland Browns will have a new face under center when they visit the New Orleans Saints this weekend. Head coach Todd Monken announced Friday that Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback in Sunday's road game, his first start of the 2026 season.
Sanders gets the nod over Deshaun Watson, who is listed as questionable after being placed in the concussion protocol following last Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watson returned to practice Friday in a limited capacity, but the Browns are opting to go with their backup against New Orleans.
Watson's status has been in doubt since he took a heavy hit from Steelers defensive back Jaquan Brisker early in the first quarter of last week's 27-6 defeat. He was sacked eight times in that game, though he remained in for the majority of the contest after the early blow.
Sanders briefly relieved Watson in that game and completed both of his pass attempts, though they went for just two yards. Watson, meanwhile, finished with a season-high 324 passing yards on 27 of 39 throwing, but the Cleveland offense failed to reach the end zone.
The 31-year-old Watson won the starting job over Sanders during training camp this summer. Despite some uneven performances, he has done enough to guide the Browns to a surprising 5-3 record through eight weeks, leaving them third in the AFC North behind Pittsburgh (6-2) and Cincinnati (5-2).
For Sanders, Sunday represents a significant opportunity. The 2025 fifth-round pick has attempted only three passes across Cleveland's first eight games this season, spending the fall watching from the sideline while Watson ran the offense.
His limited action this year follows a rookie campaign in which he made seven regular-season starts and earned selection as a Pro Bowl alternate. In 2025, Sanders went 3-4 as a starter, completing 56.6% of his passes with seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
The matchup could offer a soft landing for Sanders' first start of the year. New Orleans has struggled badly on defense, ranking 29th in the NFL in points allowed, 24th in rushing yards allowed and 29th in passing yards allowed.
The Saints have been especially vulnerable on money downs, sitting 30th in the league in third-down efficiency. That weakness could give the young quarterback and the Browns' offense chances to sustain drives and build momentum on the road.
Kickoff in New Orleans is set for Sunday, with Cleveland looking to keep pace in a crowded AFC North race while Watson works his way back toward full clearance.
