By admin 
The Cleveland Browns are only one game into the 2026 season, and yet, they’re already dealing with a quarterback dilemma.
Read more Twins place SS Kaelen Culpepper (hamstring) on IL
Browns coach Todd Monken didn’t exactly received a welcoming response from the fan base when he named Deshaun Watson his Week 1 starter. The veteran quarterback didn’t do enough against the Jacksonville Jaguars to quiet some of the outside noise, completing 16-of-22 passes for 205 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Following the team’s 34-10 loss, Watson argued that people in the media are placing unfair expectations on him.
“I think all that is for the media,” Watson said. “I think the media has this expectation that I’m supposed to throw 400 yards and 5 touchdowns every week. Until that happens, I guess it’s going to be the same situation. My job is to make sure I’m playing well so that we can get a win and keep moving forward.”
After hearing these comments from Watson, countless Browns fans urged the team to bench him this Sunday in favor of Shedeur Sanders.
“He just doesn’t get it or ever will. Always plays the victim,” one fan replied.
“So disrespectful to the fans that he’s still on the roster,” a second fan said.
“This guy is such a joke, absolutely beyond parody,” a third fan commented. “Please get him out of Cleveland asap.”
Read more Hackbarth: Racing Can’t Dismiss What Tripadvisor’s Decision Tells Us
“That’s what the Browns are paying him to do. The expectation is that you somewhat meet that with 0 inceptions. Start Shedeur,” another fan wrote.
Will the Browns have a short leash on Watson?
Prior to Week 1, former NFL star Chad Johnson said Cleveland would pull the trigger on a quarterback change if Watson stumbled out of the gates.
“If they start the season 0-2 – you open with the Jaguars. Then, you have Tampa Bay, then you come home. I’m not sure you play the third game, but you’d have to start that season off either 1-1 or 2-0. Either 1-1 or 2-0. One or the other. If you start off 0-2, they’re making a move. They’re making a move before the season gets too far away from them,” Johnson told OutKick. “As an owner and person writing the check, Deshaun Watson was always going to be the starting quarterback no matter what. Now, it’s his job to lose now going forward, and his leash is going to be very short.”
Watson might need a strong performance Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to feel good about his status as Cleveland’s starter.
On the flip side, another poor performance could lead to Browns fans calling for Sanders to start.
Read more Bills Power Rankings Roundup: Josh Allen Expected to Have a Historic 2026 Campaign
Copyright The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published September 16, 2026 at 9:47 AM.