‘I’m Starting Shedeur Sanders’- Robert Friffin III Backs Rookie Over Deshaun Watson

Robert Griffin III says he would start Shedeur Sanders over Deshaun Watson for the Cleveland Browns, citing team belief and winning impact

Surbhi Khera
April 14, 2026
4 min read

‘I’m Starting Shedeur Sanders’- Robert Friffin III Backs Rookie Over Deshaun Watson — Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation has entered early offseason discussions as questions around leadership and direction continue to build. With multiple options on the roster, attention has shifted toward how the team might approach its decision heading into OTAs.

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III has added to that conversation during a recent appearance. His remarks have introduced a clear perspective on how the Browns could handle their starting role moving forward.

At the center of the discussion is rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, whose presence has begun to influence conversations around the depth chart. Alongside him, established names like Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel remain part of the ongoing evaluation.

That conversation now leads into a more defined stance. Griffin has laid out his view on who should take the first-team role when offseason programs begin, bringing clarity to how he sees the situation unfolding.

1. RGIII Backs Shedeur Sanders as Preferred Starter Over Watson

Amid ongoing discussions around the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III shared his stance on who should lead the team into offseason programs. Speaking recently, he said ‘If I was in the decision-making chair… I’m starting Shedeur Sanders’, placing the rookie at the forefront of the competition. Griffin addressed the focus on statistical comparisons, stating, ‘a lot of people will talk about his stats… but what they did with him at quarterback was they won games’. His remarks centered on team outcomes, framing winning as a key measure in evaluating the position. The former quarterback also spoke about locker room belief and confidence within the roster. He said the Cleveland Browns locker room believes they can win with Shedeur Sanders, while adding, ‘they don’t believe they can win with Deshaun Watson’ and ’they don’t believe that they can win with Dillon Gabriel’. Despite Deshaun Watson being under a significant contract, Griffin referenced his recent form, noting he ‘has not looked like the guy that they got from the Houston Texans’. He added that Sanders has ‘the mental makeup, the confidence to get it done’, describing the role as ‘his job to lose’ heading into OTAs.

2. RGIII details Sanders’ limited prep and sudden role shift

Robert Griffin III also spoke about the circumstances surrounding Shedeur Sanders’ early opportunities. He noted that the young quarterback entered a difficult situation without consistent first-team reps during the preseason. Griffin referenced Sanders’ limited preparation time, explaining that he had ’no reps, basically, in the preseason’ before stepping into a starting role. He added that prior to that transition, Sanders ‘wasn’t even throwing to guys like Jerry Jeudy’, pointing to the lack of continuity in practice. The former quarterback also discussed the pressure surrounding Sanders during that stretch. He described a scenario where the player had all the odds stacked against him last year, while still managing to handle the transition into a starting role. Griffin concluded by pointing to Sanders’ mindset and approach, stating that he has ’the mental makeup’ and ‘confidence to get it done’. His comments framed the discussion around preparation, adaptability, and readiness within the Browns’ quarterback evaluation.

3. Amid renewed spotlight, Shedeur Sanders’ no.2 switch adds to Browns QB Battle

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As the Cleveland Browns prepare for the 2026 season, Shedeur Sanders has officially changed his jersey number from 12 to 2. The switch marks a return to the number he wore during his college career at Colorado. Sanders is currently part of an ongoing quarterback competition within the Browns roster. The situation includes Deshaun Watson, who is working his way back, with reports describing a multi-player battle for the starting role. Attention has also shifted off the field following the resurfacing of a 2025 incident involving Sanders. Footage related to a reported speeding case, where he was clocked at 101 mph during his rookie year, began circulating again on social media. Addressing the renewed attention, Sanders referred to the situation as ‘slow day in the office’. The response came as discussions continue around his role, development, and position within the Browns’ quarterback setup heading into the season.