The Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback heading into the 2026 season even after he had some testy comments for fans after he was openly booed during a preseason loss. However, it sounds like that could change before he even gets a chance to start at home for the Browns.
According to a report from ESPN insider Ian Rapoport, the Browns are set to evaluate their starting quarterback after the second game of the season, which could result in Watson getting benched.
Browns to ‘Evaluate’ Watson
Watson is set to make his second start of the season on Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but after that, it sounds like his status is undetermined.
According to Rapoport, the Browns are planning to “evaluate” Watson on his performance through the first two games before making a decision on his status as the team’s starter.
“While no firm decision has been made for Week 3, the belief is that the first two games would serve as a natural evaluation point. In other words, the Browns could use the return to Cleveland for their Week 3 home opener and a two-game sample size as the impetus for a quarterback change,” Rapoport wrote for ESPN.
This news comes as the Browns have struggled on offense during the first week of the season.
Todd Monken Defended Watson
Watson finished the game 16-for-22 for 205 yards, but the offense managed just 10 points in a blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Watson played worse than his stats indicated.
Despite that, Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken defended Watson after being asked whether or not Watson will continue to be the team’s starter.
“I’d rather just talk about today, because I haven’t had time to even look at the tape. . . . It wasn’t all him,” Monken said after the game via Pro Football Talk. “It really wasn’t all him. That’s unfair. Certainly could have called it better, certainly could have played better around him.”
Watson did indeed get another chance to start against the Buccaneers, but his future is now unclear.
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