Browns’ post-Garrett era begins with 34–10 loss to Jaguars
Cleveland’s season opener exposed problems across the team as Trevor Lawrence threw four touchdown passes and Deshaun Watson’s return ended in defeat.
The Cleveland Browns began the post-Myles Garrett era with a 34–10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, in a game that raised concerns beyond the team’s choice at quarterback.
Deshaun Watson, returning to game action after last playing in 2024, threw an interception on Cleveland’s opening drive. The Browns did not cross midfield again until they were trailing 24–0.
Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw four touchdown passes and recorded the highest passer rating of his NFL career, according to Fox Sports. The Jaguars led 24–0 at half-time before extending the margin to 31–0 within the opening three minutes of the third quarter.
Cleveland’s only touchdown came with about two minutes remaining, leaving the Browns well short after entering the game as the week’s heaviest underdog.
The defeat was also Todd Monken’s first game as an NFL head coach. Cleveland had selected Watson as its starter ahead of second-year player Shedeur Sanders, while Watson is in the final year of a five-year, $230 million contract.
The result follows a difficult transition for a team beginning a new phase without Garrett. Fox Sports noted that Cleveland’s previous first game under a new head coach also ended in a heavy defeat, although that team improved substantially later in the season.
