With Deshaun Watson fully healthy after going through concussion protocol last week, the Cleveland Browns are giving the starting job back to their veteran against his former team, the Houston Texans, on Sunday despite Shedeur Sanders’ impressive performance against the New Orleans Saints in his first start of the season.
Unfortunately for Sanders, who finished the 23-22 overtime loss 19-for-31 passing for 297 yards and two touchdowns, doubt is mounting over whether he’ll ever be mature enough to lead a franchise, according to CBS Sports’ A.J. Ross in-game reporting from Sunday.
Ross reported that as the Browns were game-planning, head coach Todd Monken asked Sanders which plays he was most comfortable running for the opening drive, but the second-year quarterback suggested plays Cleveland didn’t have in its playbook. Although Ross reported that Monken was left impressed by his young quarterback’s confidence, some analysts came away concerned.
Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd said, “I’m selling all of my [Shedeur Sanders] stock,” on Tuesday’s episode of The Herd, and on Wednesday, Cleveland-area radio analyst Ken Carman took it a step further.
“I’ve basically given up on Deshaun Watson as a long-term viable quarterback. And I guess I have to give up on Shedeur here. If this is in fact true, I hope it’s not. I really hope it’s not,” Carman said on 92.3 The Fan.
“I guess I have to give up on Shedeur here if this is, in fact, true. I hope it’s not. I really hope it’s not.”
“If you’re just making up plays that you want to run, I’m done. I’m done. I hope it’s not true. I pray to God it’s not true.”
➡️ @KenCarman & @SportsBoyTony react to Colin Cowherd discussing a report from CBS Sports sideline reporter A.J. Ross alleging Shedeur Sanders suggested plays outside the #Browns’ playbook when Todd Monken asked for input on the opening script.
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) November 11, 2026
“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard of something like that,” co-host Anthony Lima responded.
“My first thought was, ‘Well, Bernie drew it up in the dirt.’ And it’s like, [Bernie Kosar] drew it up in the dirt because they saw things during the game. And then he goes like, ‘Hey, Webster, run that way, like curl it off.’ They would see things, and they would try it again later because Bernie had that type of memory. And you could do that.
“And if you’re just making up plays that you want to run, I’m done. I’m done. I hope it’s not true. I pray to God it’s not true. I really do.”
Sunday’s loss dropped the Browns to 5-4 and pushed them to the outside looking in on the playoff picture for what’s proven to be an extremely competitive AFC this season. If Cleveland continues to slide, Sanders will almost certainly get another chance behind center. Hopefully, if he does get another opportunity, he’ll approach things with more maturity, if only for his public perception.
Recent Posts
Stephen Curry drags podcasters for misogynistic comments about wife Ayesha Curry
“Maybe, just maybe, the apology can be as loud as y’all leading y’all shows with this topic.”
Damon Amendolara explains why he appeared on Dianna Russini’s comeback show
The former CBS Sports Radio host argues the industry demanded capital-J journalism from Russini while practicing very little of it.
SNY’s Connor Hughes apologizes for saying Jets DC Brian Duker isn’t ‘well liked within the building’
The SNY insider said his remarks about the Jets defensive coordinator had nothing to do with football.
