According to several sources on Monday, Deshaun Watson will start the season as the Cleveland Browns‘ quarterback after defeating Shedeur Sanders for the position. Both quarterbacks had opportunities with the first-team offense during the offseason and preseason as they fought for the starting position.
Watson only completed 5 of 12 passes for 35 yards and an interception in Saturday’s preseason game against Buffalo. In the end, the Browns decided to start the season with the veteran despite that performance.
Since joining Cleveland in 2022, he has only made 19 appearances. When the Browns travel to play Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 of the regular season, Watson will have his first chance to show that Cleveland made the right decision.
See some of the responses on X following Watson’s selection as the Browns’ starting quarterback:
Deshaun Watson going 5-of-12 for 36 yards with a pick against the Bills backups and then criticizing the fans for booing him was apparently enough of a late push to win him the Browns QB job.
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) August 24, 2026
look, Deshaun Watson is a terrible person, and he’s actively antagonizing the loyal Browns fans still willing to pay money to see this team, and he’s not a part of the future of the franchise, and he’s untradeable.
But you’ve gotta admit: He’s also absolutely awful at football https://t.co/hIgjYRlI0B
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) August 24, 2026
Deshaun Watson wins the starting job. Most #Browns thing ever. He should be off the team. Hell, he should have never been on the team
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) August 24, 2026
With Deshaun Watson getting the starting nod for the Browns, he will be taking on Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars in week one.
Clemson vs. Clemson to open the NFL season.
— Grayson Mann (@gray_mann21) August 24, 2026
Cleveland reporter: “Now that you’re QB1, do you actually hate Browns fans?”
Deshaun Watson: pic.twitter.com/LV4QQH1ev2
— GhettoGronk (@ghetto_gronk) August 24, 2026
With Deshaun Watson getting the starting nod for the Browns, he will be taking on Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars in week one.
Clemson vs. Clemson to open the NFL season.
— Grayson Mann (@gray_mann21) August 24, 2026
“This is the most antagonistic decision you could make for your fanbase.”@mikegolicjr & @golic on Deshaun Watson being named the Browns starting QB https://t.co/Yw8Gd1B9Ac pic.twitter.com/gny8DKEcIW
— The Golics (@thegolics) August 24, 2026
“I am shocked. I feel awful for the fans of the Cleveland Browns.”@danorlovsky7 reacts to Deshaun Watson being named the starting QB 🏈 pic.twitter.com/6LB5fAvxjJ
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 24, 2026
Deshaun, meanwhile had some choice words to say postgame. He asked to be forgiven by fans and vowed to win it all for fans.
#Browns Deshaun Watson apologizes for his postgame remarks, saying he’s human. Wants to win for the fans: pic.twitter.com/LXbIvkPgdO
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 24, 2026
Well NFL is never short of drama and this has just begun.
