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Browns Name Deshaun Watson Starting QB for 2026 Opener

8/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback for the 2026 opener on Sept. 13 in Jacksonville.
Watson will earn $46 million this year under his fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract signed March 2022.
Fans booed Watson when he entered the field.
Watson described the reaction as personal and disrespectful.

History

Historical Context

On March 20 2012 the Denver Broncos signed former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning to a five-year, $96 million deal, then the NFL’s largest guaranteed contract. The signing, negotiated with executive-vice-president John Elway, sparked intense fan scrutiny that foreshadowed later backlash against big quarterback contracts, illustrating the league’s growing tension between financial commitments and public acceptance.

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Story summary

The Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback for the 2026 opener on Sept. 13 in Jacksonville.
Watson will earn $46 million this year under his fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract signed March 2022.
Fans booed Watson when he entered the field.
Watson described the reaction as personal and disrespectful.

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