Browns name Deshaun Watson starting quarterback for 2026 season
Cleveland’s decision to retain Watson over Shedeur Sanders follows a contentious preseason and raises questions about the franchise’s long-term quarterback strategy.
The Cleveland Browns have confirmed Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback for the 2026 season, selecting the veteran over second-year player Shedeur Sanders. According to sources cited by ESPN, the decision concludes a competition that spanned the offseason and the first two preseason games. The Browns will open their season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.
The selection comes despite Watson’s underwhelming performance in the second preseason game, where he completed five of 12 passes for 35 yards and one interception. Watson had started the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards before losing a fumble. Sanders, a 2025 fifth-round pick, took the field for the second game, splitting first-team reps with Watson throughout training camp.
Tensions surfaced during Watson’s first home appearance since recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. The quarterback was met with pronounced boos from a half-full crowd at Huntington Bank Field, a reaction he described as "disrespectful." Watson suggested the criticism was personal rather than performance-based, stating, "I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance."
Head coach Todd Monken indicated that Watson’s comments would not influence the final decision. Monken cited the quarterback’s competitive nature and daily work ethic, noting that Watson "wants to be back" and "wants to get back to where he was as best he can." The coach acknowledged that the post-game moment may have affected Watson but emphasized the importance of viewing the player’s overall body of work.
Watson’s tenure in Cleveland has been marked by both high financial stakes and off-field complications. Acquired from the Houston Texans in March 2022 in a trade involving three first-round picks, Watson signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. His arrival followed a settlement regarding sexual assault and inappropriate conduct allegations, which resulted in an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine.
Since joining the Browns, Watson has posted a 33.1 QBR and a 9-10 record as a starter. His past two seasons have been cut short by injury, including a shoulder fracture in 2023 and a torn Achilles tendon in 2024. The Browns also retain second-year quarterback Dillon Gabriel and sixth-round pick Taylen Green on their roster as the team prepares for a schedule that begins with two road games before hosting the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.
