Deshaun Watson Looks Awful In Browns' Loss
Deshaun Watson's return lasted 693 days of rehabilitation across two torn Achilles tendons. and about three plays before things went wrong.
The Cleveland Browns quarterback completed his first pass of the 2026 season, his second, and then on his third attempt threw an interception that set the tone for a 34-10 blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday that immediately reignited every question surrounding one of the most expensive quarterback mistakes in NFL history.
Watson, who turns 31 Monday, beat out Shedeur Sanders in training camp to win the starting job from new coach Todd Monken. He made his 20th appearance in 69 games since Cleveland traded for him before the 2022 season.
He finished with an interception, a fumble, five sacks and a -1.15 EPA per dropback. He threw one quality touchdown, a nice ball to rookie Denzel Boston, with most of his numbers coming in garbage time. The offense produced 272 total yards. The Browns trailed 24-0 at halftime.
Analysts spent the afternoon calling for Sanders. Watson's benching is now a when, not if, conversation in Cleveland. If the offense struggles next week against Tampa Bay, Monken may have no choice but to make the switch.
