Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Browns name Deshaun Watson starter for season opener

8/25/2026

44 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Watson Named Starter

Cleveland Browns named veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson the starter for the September 13 opener.
Coach Todd Monken said fan booing and Watson’s remarks will not change the starter decision.
Watson beat second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who will serve as the backup.
Watson carries a $46 million salary in the final year of his $230 million guaranteed contract.
Releasing him would incur an $86.2 million dead-cap charge in 2027.

Summary

Orlovsky Boycott

Dan Orlovsky urged Browns fans to boycott home games after the team named Deshaun Watson starter.
Fans booed Watson five times during the preseason loss, equal to his five completed passes.
Owner Jimmy Haslam called the Watson trade a ‘swing-and-miss’ despite the franchise’s continued commitment.
The $200 million salary becomes fully guaranteed in 2029, limiting the Browns’ future roster flexibility.

History

Historical Context

The 2011 NFL lockout, from March 12 to July 25, ended with a new collective bargaining agreement that set the salary cap at $120.375 million and let teams borrow cap space to lock in contracts. That framework lets owners such as Cleveland Browns’ Jimmy Haslam guarantee Deshaun Watson’s contract, restricting future roster moves, and mirrors past owner-NFLPA revenue-share disputes.

1 of 3

Watson Named Starter

Cleveland Browns named veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson the starter for the September 13 opener.
Coach Todd Monken said fan booing and Watson’s remarks will not change the starter decision.
Watson beat second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who will serve as the backup.
Watson carries a $46 million salary in the final year of his $230 million guaranteed contract.
Releasing him would incur an $86.2 million dead-cap charge in 2027.

1 / 3