Deshaun Watson just led the Cleveland Browns to a 23-19 win over Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that short-term success might be the worst thing for Cleveland in 2026. This victory actually robs the Browns of a clear look at their young quarterbacks before a massive decision on the position in 2027. Sometimes, in football, winning right now messes with long-term growth, and that’s exactly what happened in Week 2.
The “Right Where I Want to Be” Glimmer
Let’s be real, Watson has been nowhere near what the Browns expected when they traded a package of three first-round picks and slapped a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract on him. We all know about the extensive off-field legal issues, but his on-field play hasn’t delivered either. After getting absolutely punked 34-10 by the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, it felt like the Watson era might be closing. Then came the Bucs game, and a 31-year-old Watson, who’s battled a season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023 and multiple Achilles tears in 2024 and 2025, found something. He put up 238 yards passing and two touchdowns, completing an impressive 24-of-30 throws for 80%. He even added 18 of his 22 rushing yards in the second half. “I’m right where I want to be,” Watson told ESPN postgame. He added, “I told Monk at halftime to just trust me with the ball in my hands and let me just go out there and operate.” Head coach Todd Monken seemed to back that up, saying Watson “played his rear end off in the second half.” Monken even clapped back at ex-Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s “Browns is the Browns” diss, declaring, “Browns are gonna Browns. F–k that! The guys took that to heart.”
Why This Win Is a Long-Term Problem
Monken also admitted winning without a run game is “hard,” and while he was “very happy for Deshaun,” this win raises big questions. Watson may feel “right where I want to be,” but are the Browns actually closer to long-term success? Not really. This win against a struggling Baker Mayfield, who’s racked up 17 turnovers in his last 13 games, doesn’t suddenly make everything okay. That glimmer of hope, that short-term high, might have actually set the Browns back. They needed to see what else they had, especially with a massive quarterback decision looming in 2027. This victory just gave them an excuse to avoid that hard look.
What’s Next for Cleveland’s QB Conundrum
The Browns are now 1-1, heading into a Week 3 home opener against the Carolina Panthers, who also sit at 1-1. The question isn’t just about winning that game, it’s about what this win means for Cleveland’s future at quarterback. Do they truly believe in Watson after this performance, or are they delaying the inevitable? They have to figure out if this “get-right” game against a turnover-prone opponent actually vindicates their massive investment or just kicks the can down the road.
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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