The have ended the AFC North’s only unsettled quarterback competition.
Cleveland is naming Deshaun Watson its starting quarterback for Week 1, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday. Watson entered training camp as the favorite and officially won the job over second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The decision comes before Cleveland’s preseason finale against the New England Patriots and gives Watson the remaining first-team practice opportunities leading into the Sept. 13 regular-season opener at Jacksonville.
Sources: The are naming Deshaun Watson as their starting QB for Week 1. The favorite going into camp. Now the starter, officially. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
How Watson starting impacts the AFC North
Every AFC North team now has an established Week 1 starter.Baltimore has two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson. Cincinnati will again build around Joe Burrow, while Pittsburgh is running it back with Aaron Rodgers for his final NFL season. Cleveland enters the season with Watson occupying the fourth spot in that divisional quarterback lineup. For the Ravens, the decision removes one variable from preparations for their two matchups against Cleveland. Baltimore visits the Browns in Week 6 and hosts them in Week 16.
Watson presents a more familiar challenge than Sanders, but naming him the starter does not guarantee stability. Cleveland’s first two regular-season games are on the road, delaying another potentially uncomfortable reception from the home crowd. Any continued struggles could quickly renew calls for Sanders.
The Browns have officially selected a starter. Whether they have found a lasting answer remains a separate question.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire:
