Deshaun Watson is the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback for the season opener, but the veteran faces immediate pressure to produce after years of limited results and a long injury layoff.
Watson will take the field Sept. 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in his first regular-season appearance in nearly two years. The Browns then travel to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before hosting the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.
A slow start would put extra heat on Watson and the offense, especially if Cleveland sits at 0-2 heading into that home game. Fans already booed him during a preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills. Watson first called the reaction “disrespectful” and “personal” before later acknowledging that his emotions got the best of him.
Winning remains the clearest path to changing the narrative. Cleveland has seen little payoff since acquiring Watson from the Houston Texans and signing him to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022.
In 19 games with the Browns, Watson has gone 9-10 while throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He missed all of the 2025 season after two surgeries to repair his Achilles tendon.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com said she does not believe coach Todd Monken has Watson on an especially short leash. Still, another stretch of poor play could quickly test the team’s patience.
Some observers assumed Watson’s contract and the draft picks Cleveland surrendered guaranteed him the job. Cabot rejected that view.
“I truly believe that Monken made this decision based solely on the fact that he believes Deshaun Watson gives him the best chance to win,” Cabot said. “I think he feels that Watson will be able to handle the silent counts on the road and all of the pre-snap operation better than Shedeur Sanders right now.”
Monken is dealing with five new starting offensive linemen and two road games to open the schedule. That context made Watson’s experience valuable. Sanders still needs to show more command of the offense before the coach would feel comfortable turning the job over to him.
“There will come a time, maybe even sooner than later, that Sanders will be able to manage the game to Monken’s satisfaction,” Cabot said. “Until that time, Monken probably just doesn’t feel comfortable enough with Sanders’ ability to get in and out of the huddle quick enough and to manage all the moving parts of a new and young offense, including five new offensive linemen.”
Sanders started seven games as a rookie, completing 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Browns went 3-4 in those outings.
The official depth chart lists Sanders behind Watson, with rookie Taylen Green next. Reports have circulated that Green could serve as the active backup in Week 1 while Sanders is designated the emergency quarterback.
That arrangement would let Cleveland use Green in specialty packages. The 6-foot-6 passer ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash and rushed for 66 yards in the preseason finale.
Another decision looms once Dillon Gabriel becomes eligible to return from injured reserve. Gabriel hurt his back in the preseason finale and must miss at least four games.
Activating him would give the Browns four quarterbacks on the roster again, forcing the team to carry the full group, explore a trade or part ways with one of the younger players. For now, Watson has the job and a short window to prove he can still lead the offense.
