Michael Vick has weighed in on the Cleveland Browns' quarterback controversy, and his take might surprise some fans. The former NFL star says he's actually relieved that rookie Shedeur Sanders wasn't handed the starting job for Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Instead, head coach Todd Monken went with veteran Deshaun Watson, who has struggled since arriving in Cleveland in 2022, completing just 61.2% of his passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Monken explained his decision, saying, "I took in the whole body of work over the course of offseason to training camp to games, the joint practice and ultimately felt like, to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points."
On his YouTube channel this week, Vick shared his thoughts on the quarterback battle. He believes the Browns are giving Watson a shot at redemption while allowing Sanders to develop without the pressure of starting immediately.
"I'm glad that y'all named D-Watt the starter," Vick said. "You know what I'm saying? I think that's good because give Shedeur some time to continue to mature and get better. His time coming. But D-Watt gotta go prove to the world, you know what I mean?"
Vick's perspective aligns with the notion that Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, could benefit from watching and learning. The rookie has plenty of potential, but rushing him into a starting role might not be the best move. As Vick noted, his time will come.
Meanwhile, former NFL receiver Chad Johnson thinks Watson's leash will be extremely short. He told OutKick that if the Browns start 0-2, a change could come quickly. "If they start the season 0-2 – you open with the Jaguars. Then, you have Tampa Bay, then you come home. I'm not sure you play the third game, but you'd have to start that season off either 1-1 or 2-0. Either 1-1 or 2-0. One or the other. If you start off 0-2, they're making a move. They're making a move before the season gets too far away from them," Johnson said. "As an owner and person writing the check, Deshaun Watson was always going to be the starting quarterback no matter what. Now, it's his job to lose now going forward, and his leash is going to be very short."
Watson's performance will be under a microscope from the opening kickoff. If he stumbles, the calls for Sanders will only grow louder. But for now, Vick sees this as a positive for the rookie's long-term growth.
The Browns' decision has also sparked broader conversations about quarterback development and the pressure on young players. For more on how coaches handle these situations, check out Deion Sanders' recent response to doubters after Colorado's gritty win, and how he's handled his own team's quarterback situation.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Cleveland. Will Watson prove he's still a franchise quarterback, or will Sanders get his chance sooner than expected? Only time will tell, but Vick's confidence in the plan suggests the Browns might be on the right track.
