Sources: Browns tab Watson QB1 over Shedeur

Deshaun Watson, 30, has been named the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback for the opening week of the 2026 season, edging out second‑year player Shedeur Sanders after a competition that began in the offseason workout program and extended through the first two preseason games. The decision was confirmed by sources to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, and it positions Watson to lead the Browns on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. Watson’s recent preseason performance was uneven; in the second preseason game he completed just five of 12 passes for 35 yards with an interception across four second‑half drives, and he was met with audible boos from the home crowd—a reaction he described as “disrespectful” and unrelated to his on‑field play. Despite the criticism, head coach Todd Monken said Watson’s comments would not influence the starting‑quarterback choice, emphasizing the quarterback’s competitive drive and daily work ethic.

The quarterback controversy is set against a backdrop of Watson’s tumultuous tenure in Cleveland, which began with a high‑profile trade from the Houston Texans in March 2022 that cost the Browns three first‑round picks and a fully guaranteed five‑year, $230 million contract. That deal followed multiple allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct, leading to an 11‑game suspension, a $5 million fine, and a mandated treatment program after a settlement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association. Since arriving in Cleveland, Watson has struggled to replicate his Pro Bowl form, posting a 33.1 QBR that would rank last among qualified starters, and compiling a 9‑10 record as the team’s primary quarterback. Injuries have further hampered his progress: a season‑ending shoulder surgery in 2023 and a torn right Achilles that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season after two surgeries.

Looking ahead, the Browns will open the season with back‑to‑back away games—first at Jacksonville, then at Tampa Bay—before returning home to face the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. In addition to Watson and Sanders, the roster includes second‑year quarterback Dillon Gabriel and sixth‑round pick Taylen Green, providing depth at the position. The choice to start Watson signals the organization’s confidence that he can rebound from recent setbacks and lead the team despite lingering fan skepticism and his injury history. How Watson performs in the season opener will likely shape the Browns’ offensive identity and influence the ongoing debate over the franchise’s quarterback future.

⚡ Effects Interpreter