Deshaun Watson won the Browns’ quarterback competition, but after calling his own fans “personal” and “disrespectful” during a rocky training camp and preseason, his return isn’t exactly a smooth ride into the regular season opener. That kind of drama before Week 1? You just know this game in Jacksonville is going to be must-watch.
Cleveland’s Quarterback Rollercoaster Just Hit a New Low
Let’s be real, the Browns’ offseason has been a total soap opera, and it all revolves around Watson. This dude signed a historic five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract back in March 2022, but his journey with the team has been anything but smooth. He’s had a complicated, injury-plagued history, and honestly, fans have made it known they’re not thrilled with what they’ve seen on the field this summer. They booed the 30-year-old after his rocky camp, and his response, calling them “personal” and “disrespectful,” did not go over well with the Dawg Pound. He ended up having to apologize, but you gotta wonder what that did to team chemistry heading into Week 1.
The wild part is, Watson’s play has been so “unpredictable and unreliable” that there’s a real chance Shedeur Sanders could step in at some point this season. Sanders, who famously dropped to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft after once being considered a first-rounder, is waiting in the wings. For new head coach Todd Monken, this Week 1 game against the Jags is a huge test right out of the gate. Will the Browns crumble like so many people think they will, or can Watson actually step up?
Jacksonville’s Defense Is Rolling, But Can Lawrence Carry The Momentum?
On the other side of the field, the Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to build on their momentum. This is their second year under head coach Liam Coen, and they really need to prove that last year’s major season-to-season improvement wasn’t just a fluke. Their defense was absolutely legit, giving up the fewest points per game in the NFL over the final eight games of last season. During that same stretch, quarterback Trevor Lawrence was on fire, putting up some of his best numbers and even getting into the MVP conversation.
They’re coming off an AFC South title, they’ve got Travis Hunter back, and CBS Sports has them projected at 10-7, firmly in the playoff picture. The Jags haven’t made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 1998-99, so the pressure is on Lawrence and Co. to make a statement in this Week 1 matchup. This is a team that’s trending up, and they’re facing a Browns squad already dealing with internal drama.
This Week 1 showdown on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. ET from EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville is going to be wild. You can catch it on CBS or stream it on Paramount+. The biggest question hanging over this game: Will the Browns unravel under the weight of their quarterback’s drama, or will Watson somehow pull off a memorable first game back? Either way, expect fireworks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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