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Browns reportedly 'using' Deshaun Watson

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly using Deshaun Watson to give Shedeur Sanders some motivation.

Cleveland is entering its offseason training with Watson, Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel all under contract. New head coach Todd Monken claimed it was going to be an open competition, but Browns insider Nick Wilson of 92.3 The Fan believes that isn’t the case and instead is using Watson.

“The Browns could be using Deshaun Watson to motivate Shedeur,” Wilson said. “And, to try and keep Shedeur motivated, if they have concerns, or his ability to execute the job every day. But the media glomming onto the Deshaun stuff is mind-boggling to me.

“While they didn’t watch it every single day inside and out like you and I did, nobody wanted him four years ago. The Browns took the biggest hit in the world, and everybody knew he stunk the last three years, going on five years.”

Wilson doesn’t believe Watson truly is in the competition to be the team’s starting quarterback. Instead, he believes it is Sanders’ job to lose, and Watson still being there is just motivation for Sanders, so he has to win the job.

Sanders ended the year as the Browns’ starting quarterback, as he threw for 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. After some other quarterbacks withdrew, Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl last season.

Watson Called Out at Browns Minicamp

Wilson’s report that Cleveland is using Watson comes after the veteran quarterback was called out for his actions at minicamp.

After practice, both Sanders and Gabriel spoke to the media, yet Watson didn’t. The veteran quarterback hasn’t spoken to the media in over a year, and that led to Wilson calling him out.

“If Deshaun doesn’t want to speak in front of the media or he doesn’t want to speak before the fans because his feelings are hurt because of what’s transpired, then ask for your release. Get out of town,” Nick Wilson of 92.3 The Fan said. “If you want to be the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, you have to speak to the media. Shedeur is out here.”

Cleveland traded for Watson in 2022 and signed a new, fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal as part of the deal. Yet, due to injuries and off-the-field issues, Watson’s tenure with Cleveland hasn’t gone well.

Cleveland Having Open QB Competiton

Despite many reports indicating that Sanders would be the starting quarterback, Monken disagreed.

Instead, after Monken was hired, he claimed it would be an open competition between all three

“There’s enough there of all three. There’s enough there to really like Deshaun (Watson), the way he plays,” Monken said. “And there’s enough there to really like the way Shedeur (Sanders) played at the back end of the year. And there’s enough early in the year from Dillon. Someone’s going to have to start off first, and someone’s going to go second, and someone’s going to go third.”

Monken said the goal is to have his starter named before training camp, so they can get most of the reps. But, for now, it remains an open competition, despite other reports.