Five-time Grammy winner calls on the Browns to bench Deshaun Watson in favor of Shedeur Sanders

Updated 17/10/2026 - 05:42CDT

Lil Wayne wants the Cleveland Browns to give Shedeur Sanders a genuine opportunity to establish himself at quarterback, with Deshaun Watson's performances potentially forcing the franchise to reconsider its plans for the rookie as the AFC North race continues heating up.

The five-time Grammy winner explained that he hopes Watson plays well enough to create a difficult decision for Cleveland rather than simply losing his starting job as Wayne believes Sanders deserves his chance, but he also wants the veteran to make the coaching staff think twice.

“I need him to get his opportunity, and I think where he at, he’s going to get that opportunity,” Wayne said on the Gridiron podcast. “But I love to see Deshaun doing his thing now. I love that. I want Deshaun to give them a problem.

“I want them [Cleveland] to actually have a problem at the end of this season, like, ‘Man, what the hell do we do? What do we do? Why did we do this?’ Well, I want them to, man. I want him. I like to see them smile.”

The Browns entered Week 6 with a 3-2 record before falling 17-12 to the New YorkJets on October 11 and Watson's difficult afternoon renewed questions about Cleveland's offense and whether the coaching staff should eventually consider a change under center.

Watson had thrown for 1,010 yards and seven touchdowns against two interceptions through five games, helping the Browns win three times. However, his performance against the Jets saw just 155 passing yards and absorbed eight sacks, matching his career high from a 2024 defeat against the New York Giants.

The Jets’ defensive linesman David Bailey recorded three sacks and earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Overall, Watson has been sacked 19 times, putting him on pace for 64.6 over a full season.

Sanders remains second behind Watson on Cleveland's official depth chart as the Browns face another challenge against the Baltimore Ravens, whose defense has recorded 10 sacks ahead of the divisional contest.

Ravens edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is expected to return after missing the previous two games with a finger injury, and his availability would provide another test for Watson as Cleveland attempts to improve its offensive performance – and they have secured a boost on that front.

The Browns will receive some help with rookie receiver KC Concepcion clearing concussion protocol after he suffered a fearsome blow to the head from Minkah Fitzpatrick and appeared to be knocked out.

He has since returned to full practice and Concepcion has recorded 18 receptions for 149 yards this season, as Cleveland has ruled out five players, including quarterback Dillon Gabriel, whilst leading rusher Quinshon Judkins is questionable with an ankle injury.

Defensive tackle Mason Graham, defensive end Derek Barnett and linebacker Carson Schwesinger are also questionable.