By admin 
Deshaun Watson has been under the microscope ever since Todd Monken chose him as the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns over Shedeur Sanders. The duo were involved in one of the most talked-about quarterback battles of the offseason, with Watson’s body of work persuading Monken to favor his experience over Sanders’ youth. But, Monken didn’t confirm whether Watson would be the starting quarterback for the entire 2026 season.
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So, the pressure was on Watson from the very first regular-season game of the 2026 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Watson wanted to kickstart the season on a high, but things didn’t go as planned. He completed 16 of 22 passes, throwing for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception. However, the majority of his production came when the game was already out of reach.
However, Watson has made quite a comeback over the next four games, silencing his critics and solidifying his status as the starting quarterback for the Browns. While the Browns’ last game against the New York Jets ended in a loss, Watson shouldn’t shoulder all the blame.
Watson completed 15 out of 33 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown against the Jets. But a very big reason for Watson’s struggles was the pass protection collapse, which allowed eight sacks during the game. All in all, Monken’s decision to choose Watson over Sanders has turned out to be the right one so far.
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What’s next for Watson, whose contract runs through the 2026 season, after reports emerged that the Browns have no plans to trade Sanders? Mary Kay Cabot has the latest update on his future. Cabot wrote on Cleveland.com, “If he continues to play well — he’s currently No. 8 in the NFL with a 101.2 rating — the Browns will consider re-signing him after the season.”
“The season is still young and a lot can happen, but Watson has demonstrated that he’s got plenty left in the tank and is flourishing under Todd Monken,” she added.
Watson and the Browns will face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday as they look to bounce back from their loss to the Jets.
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This story was originally published October 14, 2026 at 4:23 AM.