Full Breakdown
Browns Name Deshaun Watson Starting Quarterback for 2026 Season
8/24/2026, 7:46:01 PM
Decision Overview
Cleveland head coach Todd Monken announced on August 24, 2026 that veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson will start the Browns’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13, 2026. The decision ends a summer-long competition with second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders, who will serve as the backup. Monken said the choice was based on “the full body of work” and not on Watson’s recent comments about fan booing.
Background & Context
The Browns acquired Watson in a March 18, 2022 trade that sent three first-round picks, a third-round pick and two fourth-round picks to the Houston Texans. The deal included a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract—one of the most lucrative in NFL history. Watson missed the 2021 season due to a league-imposed suspension stemming from more than two dozen sexual-misconduct allegations. He served an 11-game suspension at the start of his Cleveland tenure and has since been sidelined by a shoulder injury (2023) and two Achilles-tendon injuries (October 2024 and early 2025). He has appeared in only 19 games for the Browns, posting a 9-10 record.
Data & Statistics
- Preseason performance (2026): Watson completed 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards, with no touchdowns, one interception and one fumble. Sanders completed 15 of 22 passes for 153 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
- Career with Cleveland: 19 starts, 61.2 % completion rate, 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 80.7 passer rating. His 33.1 Total QBR would rank last among active quarterbacks if qualified.
- Contract details (2026): Base salary $1.3 million; total cash compensation $46 million after a recent restructure. The cap hit is just under $41 million; cutting Watson after the season would trigger an $86 million dead-cap charge spread over 2027-2028.
Official Statements & Responses
Owner Jimmy Haslam reiterated his earlier assessment of the 2022 trade as a “big swing-and-miss,” but noted that the contract’s dead-cap implications limit the Browns’ flexibility, making Watson’s continued presence a financial necessity.
Criticism & Opposition
Former NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky publicly expressed shock at the decision, arguing that Watson’s post-game comments should have been a decisive factor.
Fans voiced strong dissent on social media, with users such as Jahad (Twitter) arguing that the choice was “about money, not performance.”
On-the-Ground Reports
During the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Watson entered the second half to a chorus of boos from the Huntington Bank Field crowd. He completed 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and threw an interception.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number of lawsuits filed against Watson. Some outlets cite more than two dozen allegations, while others specify 27 lawsuits, all of which have been settled or dismissed. No source provides a definitive count of settled versus dismissed cases, leaving the exact legal tally unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” — Deshaun Watson, reported that veteran
- “He emptied his heart a little bit, and I don't think that says who he is,” — Todd Monken, Browns coach
- “Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles,” — Deshaun Watson, reported that veteran
- “Deshaun is going to start against Jacksonville,” — Todd Monken, Browns coach
- “I think Shedeur has done a great job, come a long ways and we are excited about his future,” — Todd Monken, Browns coach
- “I feel like I get more love on road games than I do home games,” — Deshaun Watson, reported that veteran
