Deshaun Watson is officially the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback for the 2026 NFL season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped the news Monday, confirming Watson got the nod over Shedeur Sanders. But hold up, here’s the wild part: after how Watson wrapped up the preseason, folks are *already* saying he might not even keep that job for the entire year. Seriously, how often do you hear that about your Week 1 starter? It screams a lack of confidence, doesn’t it?
The QB1 Job Already on the Hot Seat
Can you believe the pressure cooker this guy is walking into? Watson won the starting job, yeah, but the fact that “nobody will be shocked” if he gets benched before the year is out tells you everything you need to know about his preseason performance. It sounds like he really struggled to close things out, giving the coaching staff and the fanbase zero reason for long-term faith. This isn’t just a casual observation, it’s a direct shot at his consistency and effectiveness. For a team to name a Week 1 starter with that kind of immediate doubt hanging over him, it means the backup, Shedeur Sanders, is probably already getting extra looks in practice. The team’s gotta be ready for anything, right?
Week 5’s Looming Shadow for Sanders
So, when could this whole QB situation actually blow up and lead to a change? Coach Todd Monken has a “plausible window” for elevating Sanders: Week 5. That’s a specific target, and it makes a ton of sense when you look at the schedule. Why Week 5? It all comes down to Week 4, which is a massive Thursday night battle against their “biggest rival,” the Pittsburgh Steelers. You know how those rivalry games go, especially in prime time. If Cleveland suffers a “tough loss” in that game, the fan angst could reach a “fever pitch.” We’re talking absolute meltdown territory, pitchforks out on social media, you name it. A short week followed by a long break if you lose? That’s the perfect storm. The schedule would then allow Sanders “a few extra days to get used to the starting role again,” giving him a chance to breathe before his first start. It’s almost like they’ve got this scenario pre-planned, hoping Watson can pull it together, but with a clear backup plan in place.
This season opener isn’t just about Week 1 for the Browns, it’s about every single snap Watson takes leading up to that Week 4 Steelers showdown. Will he silence the doubters and solidify his role, or will we be watching Shedeur Sanders by Week 5? The stakes are sky-high, and it’s gonna be a wild ride from the moment that first whistle blows. You just know everyone is watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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