All articles tagged with #deshaun watson
Candace Buckner argues Browns fans shouldn’t only boo Deshaun Watson but direct their fury at owner Jimmy Haslam, Dee Haslam, and GM Andrew Berry for orchestrating Watson’s arrival and a guaranteed $230 million contract amid sexual misconduct allegations, urging accountability from the leadership even as some fans protest morally.
Deshaun Watson was named the Browns' starting quarterback for the 2026 season, beating out Shedeur Sanders who will be the backup. Coach Todd Monken said the decision came on Monday, and neither QB will play in the final preseason game. Watson’s selection comes amid his injury history and the Browns' large, fully guaranteed contract, with owner Jimmy Haslam acknowledging the risk. Cleveland acquired Watson from Houston in a trade that included three first-round picks, and Sanders showed promise last season, but Watson gives the team the best chance to win now while Sanders remains a future option.
Deshaun Watson has been named the Browns’ starting quarterback for the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, beating out Shedeur Sanders after a competitive preseason; it’s Watson’s first game since his Achilles injuries, and Cleveland cites his overall body of work in the offseason and camp. Watson addressed recent fan criticism with an apology, and the Browns have rebuilt the offense with an upgraded line and new receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the final year of his contract.
Deshaun Watson will start Cleveland’s 2026 season, coach Todd Monken announced after a spring/summer QB competition with Shedeur Sanders and Watson’s full recovery from an Achilles injury. The Browns have rebuilt their offense around Watson’s experience and health, but face a road-heavy early schedule and lingering questions about accountability amid a $230 million guaranteed contract that could be Watson’s last in Cleveland.
Deshaun Watson said his boisterous reaction after being booed at a preseason game was an emotional response, not a personal attack on fans, and he committed to focusing on football as Cleveland’s starter, hoping his performance will win back the home crowd by Week 3.
Week 2 of the NFL preseason thrust Cleveland’s QB competition into the spotlight as Shedeur Sanders starred (9-for-11, 74 yards, TD) and was named a game captain, while Deshaun Watson struggled (5-for-12, 36 yards, INT), fueling chatter that Sanders could win the job. Other notable notes included Adonai Mitchell rising for the Jets, Fernando Mendoza’s rough Raiders outing (including a pick-six), Maurice Hurst II’s two-sack debut for the Commanders, Odell Beckham Jr.’s limited Giants role, Will Shipley showing as a potential Eagles No. 2 back, and the Lions’ O-line woes contrasted by the Jets’ two interceptions.
A Sports/Athletic take argues Deshaun Watson has repeatedly avoided accountability amid sexual misconduct allegations and underwhelming play, with preseason boos and a tense Browns quarterback competition against Shedeur Sanders raising questions about the franchise’s gamble and future under his leadership.
The Cleveland Browns plan to start Deshaun Watson in Week 1, with coach Todd Monken reportedly willing to give Watson a two-game road audition against the Jaguars and Buccaneers; a successful 2-0 stretch could ease fan tensions, but if Watson struggles Cleveland may turn to Shedeur Sanders by Week 3.
Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken has not yet named a Week 1 starting quarterback, saying he’ll decide after weighing Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and other options to give the team the best chance to beat the Jaguars. The debate centers on Watson’s disappointing recent form versus Sanders’ safer public image, with fans also weighing Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green as potential backups. Regardless, Monken notes the decision is urgent but none of the options have shown clear dominance, and the likelihood a Week 1 starter remains the same through Week 18 appears low.
Watson’s rough showing against the Bills and his public rebuke of Browns fans who booed him complicate Cleveland’s QB plans. With coach Todd Monken expected to name a Week 1 starter, the Browns face a binary choice: start Watson again or cut him, given his $230 million investment and injury history. A rebound in upcoming road tests at Jacksonville and Tampa Bay could keep the plan intact; a poor showing could force a change.
Geno Smith flashed for the Jets in a productive preseason showing, while Deshaun Watson struggled and drew boos in his return for the Browns. Across the league, teams used the weekend to evaluate quarterback depth and roster spots, with several backups and rookies—Kyle Allen, J.J. McCarthy, Gardner Minshew, Stetson Bennett and others—making notable impressions as the field of QB candidates narrows ahead of Week 1.
An opinion piece argues the Cleveland Browns should cut Deshaun Watson to reset the franchise, citing the massive $230 million contract and substantial dead-money hit, underwhelming on-field performance, and dwindling fan goodwill. It suggests rebuilding around a younger quarterback like Shedeur Sanders and possibly leveraging the 2027 NFL Draft, noting the cap constraints would require significant roster reshaping to move on from Watson.
Browns coach Todd Monken says a starting quarterback will be named on Monday after weighing a few factors, with Deshaun Watson’s preseason reception not impacting the decision; Monken is focused on team performance, and if Watson isn’t the starter, the plan could involve Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green in the final preseason game.
Browns coach Todd Monken is set to name the Week 1 starter on Monday, with Deshaun Watson potentially getting the first two games (on the road at Jacksonville and Tampa Bay) to prove he can reclaim the job. If the Browns go 2-0, the mood could shift ahead of Week 3 vs. the Panthers, but Monken won’t lock in a 17-game decision yet and insiders may get leaks ahead of the official announcement.
In the Browns’ quarterback competition, Sanders impressed against the Bills while Watson struggled; Watson’s postgame remarks about being disrespected by home fans could complicate his bid to win the Week 1 job, fueling talk that Sanders may have overtaken him as the starter and prompting broader discussion of Watson’s future and potential dead-money implications.