The Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback for Week 1 of the regular season, but his grip on the job may be tenuous at best.
There is some thought that Watson may only get two weeks to prove himself as the Browns’ starter, even though he has won the job for now. Cleveland’s first two games of the season are on the road, meaning he will not have to face Browns fans at home until they host the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.
Watson will essentially be given two weeks to demonstrate that he can hold down the job. If he fails to do so, it seems entirely plausible that Shedeur Sanders will be handed the job in Week 3.
Part of the thought process behind naming Deshaun Watson the #Browns’ starter is that they open the season with two road games (at JAX, at TB) before returning home in Week 3.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 24, 2026
That would give Watson two games to prove himself away from the fanbase. If he struggles, Shedeur… https://t.co/2Pw3v6FJsU pic.twitter.com/18pvk1Yjqn
Even if there is an element of truth to this, it would be pretty wild thinking from the Browns. It would take far more than two decent games for Browns fans to warm up to Watson, especially in light of the comments he made over the weekend. The quarterback has underwhelmed since making his Browns debut in 2022, and there’s a good chance he would still be showered with boos even if the Browns come into that game with a 2-0 record.
Signed by the Browns to a $230 million contract extension in 2022, Watson has appeared in only nine games in a Browns uniform thus far, accumulating 3,365 passing yards and 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He was not particularly impressive during the preseason either, but the organization wants to see what he can do once more.
