Browns Name Deshaun Watson Starting QB for Week 1 Road Opener in Jacksonville

Deshaun Watson will start for the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 after completing 5 of 12 passes for 35 yards in his most recent preseason appearance.

Deshaun Watson will open the 2026 NFL season as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback, as reported by Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport. The nine-year veteran secured the role following a competition with 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders that spanned the offseason program and two preseason contests. The Browns are scheduled to begin the regular season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, followed by a Week 2 away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Watson enters the campaign with a 9-10 record as Cleveland’s starter and a 33.1 Total QBR since joining the franchise, a mark that would rank last among qualifying quarterbacks.

During his most recent preseason outing on Saturday, Watson completed 5 of 12 passes for 35 yards and threw one interception across four second-half drives. This performance occurred at Huntington Bank Field, where the stadium was half full and the 30-year-old quarterback was met with audible boos. Watson described the crowd reaction as "disrespectful" and "personal," noting it was his first home appearance since tearing his right Achilles tendon in October 2024. Despite the struggles in that game, coach Todd Monken stated on Sunday that the quarterback's post-game comments would not influence the depth chart decision, citing Watson's daily work ethic and competitive nature.

Preseason Performance and Roster Depth

The quarterback battle saw Watson and Sanders split first-team repetitions throughout training camp. In the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards but lost one fumble. Sanders received the start in the second preseason game before Watson took over at the start of the second half. The Cleveland roster also includes second-year quarterback Dillon Gabriel and sixth-round selection Taylen Green. Monken emphasized that he sees the effort Watson is putting in to return to his previous form following significant time away from the field.

Injury History and Contract Details

Watson did not participate in the 2025 season while recovering from two surgical procedures on his right Achilles. Since the Browns traded three first-round picks to the Houston Texans and signed Watson to a $230 million contract in March 2022, he has been limited to 19 games due to injuries and suspension. His 2023 season ended prematurely after a displaced fracture to the glenoid in his right throwing shoulder required surgery, causing him to miss the final nine games of that year, including an AFC wild-card defeat against Houston.

Upcoming Schedule and Home Opener

Cleveland will play its first two games of the 2026 season in Florida before returning home for a Week 3 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler during his tenure in Houston, is attempting to complete his first full season as a starter since arriving in Cleveland. The team’s decision to start the veteran comes after he missed the entire previous year of competition. The Browns coaching staff finalized the choice on Sunday morning following the evaluation of the first two weeks of exhibition play.