BIGPLAY Cleveland

Deshaun Watson gets the start against Houston over Shedeur Sanders. But if the Browns’ offense struggles, how quickly should Todd Monken reconsider?Bruce Drennan joins Ryan Tyler on BIGPLAY Cleveland to debate the quarterback decision, what Watson needs to prove against his former team, and whether Sanders earned another opportunity. Does a win settle the argument—or does Watson need to show more?PLUS: We preview Browns–Texans, look around the NFL, and discuss MLB’s postseason awards, including the Cy Young results and tonight’s MVP announcements.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Deshaun Watson gets the start against Houston. Did Todd Monken make the right call—or did Shedeur Sanders deserve another opportunity?Matt Fontana and Ryan react to Cleveland’s quarterback decision and what it means for both players. What must Watson show against the Texans? Did Sanders do enough against New Orleans to keep playing? And how quickly should Monken reconsider if the offense struggles?PLUS: Matt explains why he’s glad the Browns made no trades at the deadline. Was standing pat the smart decision—or did Cleveland leave important problems unresolved?Then we turn to the Cavaliers: is there a real apathy problem, and what would make fans feel more invested in this team?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Deshaun Watson is reportedly headed back into the Browns’ starting lineup—but did Shedeur Sanders change what Cleveland should accept from him?Hanford Dixon joins Jack O’Rourke and Zae to debate Watson’s reported return against Houston, what he needs to prove, and how quickly Todd Monken should reconsider if the offense struggles. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Cleveland plans to start Watson; Monken declined to publicly name his starter Monday.PLUS: Hanford breaks down how New Orleans disrupted Cleveland’s failed two-point attempt, the challenge C.J. Stroud presents, and what Jared Verse needs to deliver against Houston.It’s also NFL trade deadline day. What should the Browns prioritize before 4 p.m. ET—and would doing nothing be defensible? We’ll discuss pass-rush help and Will McDonald as a potential fit, not a reported Browns negotiation.After Hanford, Jack and Zae debate Dylan Sampson’s growing role alongside Quinshon Judkins and what a real response against Houston needs to look like.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Shedeur Sanders threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns—but the Browns still fell 23–22 in overtime. Did he earn another start? And how would Todd Monken justify going back to Deshaun Watson against Houston?Jack and Chris are joined by former Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor to debate Cleveland’s quarterback decision, Monken’s failed two-point attempt and the mistakes that keep costing this team.PLUS:• Jared Verse has zero sacks through nine games. Myles Garrett just had three. How much worse can the trade look?• Did the Browns wait too long to trust Shedeur?• Trade deadline decisions: Mary Kay Cabot reports no trades brewing. Can Cleveland afford to stand pat?• Former Cavaliers guard Booby Gibson joins to discuss James Harden’s struggles, the help Donovan Mitchell needs and tonight’s response in Charlotte.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If Shedeur Sanders starts in New Orleans, what’s the first play you’d put in his headset? Former Browns quarterback Garrett Gilbert joins Jack O’Rourke and Chris to make that call. Gilbert once had four days to get ready for an NFL start. He’ll tell us what helps a quarterback settle in, when he’d take a shot downfield and what to watch before Sanders even throws the ball.Then Jack and Chris get into Jared Verse. Was he right to say he felt let down by his teammates after Mason McCormick slammed him in Pittsburgh?Tyler Danburg joins to preview No. 12 Ohio State vs. No. 23 Oregon. How much should Ryan Day put on freshman quarterback Luke Fahey with the Buckeyes’ playoff hopes on the line? We close with score picks for Buckeyes–Ducks and Browns–Saints.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Shedeur Sanders took the first-team reps Wednesday. If Deshaun Watson clears concussion protocol late in the week, should the Browns hand him the offense back or give Sanders the start against the Saints? Bruce Drennan and Matt Fontana debate which quarterback gives Cleveland the better chance to win in New Orleans.Then it’s Cavs basketball. Cleveland scored 42 in the fourth quarter in Oklahoma City and still lost 124–116. How much credit do you give the comeback when you gave up 37 in the first quarter? Bruce and Matt also look around the NFL, starting with Jaguars–Ravens tonight, and preview a college football weekend headlined in Columbus by No. 12 Ohio State hosting No. 23 Oregon.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Shedeur Sanders is expected to make his first start of the season with Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol. Could this opportunity change the Browns’ quarterback plans for good?Matt Fontana reacts to the developing quarterback news and the opportunity in front of Sanders. What should fans realistically expect? How can Todd Monken put him in position to succeed? And what would Sanders have to show to keep the starting job once Watson is cleared?Matt also weighs in on what this means for Cleveland’s long-term quarterback decision and the debate over another commitment to Watson.PLUS: Jared Verse, the Jeffery Simmons and Myles Garrett trade returns, the Cavaliers’ rematch with Oklahoma City, and Ohio State’s path to the College Football Playoff.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jared Verse has no sacks through eight games—but Todd Monken believes they’ll start to “pile up.” Do you buy his explanation, or do the Browns need more than patience?Jack O’Rourke and Zae react to Monken’s latest comments following the Steelers loss, his defense of Verse and his pushback on comparisons with Myles Garrett. Is Cleveland asking too much of Verse—or getting too little?We also discuss the reported trade interest in Jadeveon Clowney and whether Andrew Berry should explore a reunion. Houston reportedly isn’t actively shopping Clowney; the question is whether Cleveland should make the call.Former Browns defensive lineman Phil Taylor joins at 12:30 p.m. ET to react to Mason McCormick throwing Verse to the ground, Jason Pinkston’s defense of the play and what Verse needs to hear from his teammates this week. Phil also shares what trade-deadline uncertainty feels like inside an NFL locker room.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

First place was on the line. The Browns scored six points. Who deserves the blame for Cleveland’s 27–6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers—and how much should it change our belief in this team?Browns legend Hanford Dixon joins Jack O’Rourke and Chris McNeil to break down the defensive failures, Deshaun Watson’s performance, the protection problems and Todd Monken’s responsibility. At 5–3, are the Browns still a playoff team—or did Pittsburgh expose problems we’ve been overlooking?Then Max Loeb joins for a deeper look at the Xs and Os: how Pittsburgh disrupted Cleveland’s offense, why the Browns couldn’t stop the run and what needs to change.Former Cavaliers guard Daniel “Booby” Gibson joins to discuss Cleveland’s win in Milwaukee, getting Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen more involved, rotation decisions and tonight’s matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s Steelers Hate Friday on BIGPLAY Cleveland. Jack O’Rourke and Chef Zae debate whether Pittsburgh deserves the respect it gets—or whether these Browns should expect to finish the sweep and take control of the AFC North race.Former Browns quarterback Garrett Gilbert joins us to discuss facing Pittsburgh, trusting Deshaun Watson and what Cleveland’s young receivers need to deliver on the road.Two-time Steelers Super Bowl champion Trai Essex of The Snap Count brings Pittsburgh’s perspective: do the Steelers respect these Browns, and which team is actually better?Then Phil Taylor takes us inside the rivalry with Browns–Steelers memories, locker-room stories and his prediction for Sunday.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy