Veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson is currently locked in an intense battle with Shedeur Sanders to be the Cleveland Browns’ starter next season. Watson made his return from a season-long absence after undergoing surgery to repair a re-ruptured Achilles tendon that cost him the entire 2025 campaign, following an initial tear that ended his 2024 season.
Browns Analyst Slams Deshaun Watson’s Performances
During a segment on the “92.3 The Fan,” The Athletic’s Zac Jackson, who covers the Browns, blasted Watson’s inconsistency during Cleveland’s minicamp and suggested a radical approach to their QB1 issue.
“My only spring conclusion, you know, there’s not really any conclusions,” Jackson said. “This was a new offense, this was a new environment, Deshaun was playing for the first time. But I think it’s a fair spring conclusion to say that he’s the same player he’s been here, which is an inconsistent player, not accurate, bad decisions. He’s just not any good.”
“There’s no point in the Cleveland Browns of 2026, who are playing for the future, playing him,” Jackson added. “I hope that they’re gonna get around to that thought. But he’s just never gonna take that next step… The Browns made an incredibly bad trade, and it is absolutely comical that he would still be on the team.”
Watson signed a lucrative $230 million, fully guaranteed five-year contract when he was traded from the Houston Texans to the Browns in 2022. His career in Cleveland has been inconsistent at best, including undergoing two surgical procedures.
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Before his Achilles injury in 2024, Watson went 1-6 as a starter, tallying 1,148 passing yards on 63.4% completion, resulting in 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, while adding 148 rushing yards and one score.
During Sunday’s segment of the “Nightcap” podcast, former NFL star Chad Johnson was adamant that because of his experience and massive contract, Watson would initially be the Browns’ starter under center next season.
“Deshaun Watson is the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns,” Johnson said. “It is his job to lose. He has six weeks, I guarantee you. Listen to me now… he has six weeks to make sure that team is playing above or better than whatever the expectations may be for that team and that quarterback.”
“If he’s not, Shedeur Sanders will fall in line as the backup and be the starter for the remainder of the season,” Johnson added.
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In seven games started last season, Sanders led the Browns to a 3-4 record, registering 1,400 passing yards on 56.6% completion, 7 scores and 10 interceptions, while adding 169 rushing yards and one touchdown to earn a PFSN QB Impact score of 56.7.
In addition to Watson and Sanders, the Browns have Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green in their quarterback room as well.
