Cleveland Browns fans are currently navigating a whirlwind of controversy, allegedly revolving around misogynistic remarks and false information floating around. The drama primarily focuses on the competition for the starting quarterback position between second-year player Shedule Sanders and veteran Deshaun Watson.
For a team that has been to the playoffs only three times in the last three decades, the excitement from beat writer Mary Kay Cabot’s coverage has, perhaps, been a saving grace for these fans. She reported on Wednesday that Watson, who hasn’t played in close to two years due to injuries, is “taking the lead” in the QB race, despite Sanders stepping in for the last eight games of the 2025 season.
This news sparked outrage among fans, analysts, and even Shiloh Sanders, the veteran quarterback’s older brother, who previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He reacted by suggesting Cabot should focus more on making a sandwich, a comment that has since been deleted.
TMZ noted that this comment was labeled “sexist” and “misogynistic.” Cabot defended herself by claiming she serves as an inspirational figure for young women in sports media. “I firmly believe I inspire many women and young girls,” she commented on Cleveland radio station 92.3 The Fan. “It makes me happy that I can excel in a man’s world, especially now that so many women are entering the football scene, partly due to what I’ve achieved over the years.”
Since Cabot’s piece was published, many fans have dismissed her report regarding the QB situation as unfounded. Some media members expected Sanders to take stronger control of the offense, questioning whether Watson even has an advantage over Sanders.
Furthermore, ESPN NFL analyst Mike Tannenbaum indicated that Cabot’s scenario was “the most unlikely” due to Watson’s recent Achilles tendon injury. The controversy surrounding the Browns seems unending. During the draft, Sanders was reported to have dropped from being a first-round pick to a fifth-rounder because teams were put off by his attitude during interviews.
Meanwhile, Watson, who faced an 11-game suspension, was fined $5 million before he played a single game with the Browns in 2022. His situations included allegations of sexual misconduct from more than 20 women during massage sessions.
