Deshaun Watson is officially the Browns’ starting quarterback for Week 1, a turn of events that felt impossible just a day earlier. The whole vibe in Cleveland shifted dramatically from Saturday to Sunday, going from whispers of him never suiting up again to the blunt news that he’s the guy under center.
Monken’s Wild Bet on Watson’s Road Trip
Browns Coach Todd Monken is rolling the dice on Watson, even after he faced incessant booing from the fans during the Week 2 preseason game. What’s more, Watson’s own postgame remarks about his “irreparable relationship” with the Cleveland faithful didn’t seem to trouble Monken one bit. This isn’t just a simple coaching decision; it’s a massive gamble on a player who clearly has a broken connection with the fanbase.
Will Two Road Games Save the Browns’ Season?
The plan, apparently, is a two-week audition for Watson, and thankfully for the locals, both games are on the road. The Browns are set to face the Jaguars in Jacksonville, then head to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers. The big “if” here is whether Watson plays well and the Browns somehow win both. If they manage that, returning to Cleveland at 2-0, with a potential 3-0 start within reach against the Panthers next, maybe the fans will be a little more welcoming. But let’s be real, that’s a monumental “if.” Cleveland hasn’t started a season 2-0 since way back in 1993, which feels like ancient history.
Our gut tells us that even if Watson starts Week 1, we could be seeing Shedeur Sanders under center by Week 3. If that doesn’t happen, strap in because things could get even uglier in Cleveland than they were during the last game the Browns/Ravens played there. That Jaguars game isn’t just a Week 1 matchup; it’s the start of Watson’s make-or-break audition, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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