Browns defeat Buccaneers as Watson posts solid performance amid ongoing quarterback debate

Deshaun Watson led the Cleveland Browns to a 23-19 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, completing 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. The win came after the Browns fell 34-10 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, improving their record to 1-1.

Watson said after the game, "I'm right where I want to be. I was making plays. I told Coach Monken at halftime to just trust me with the ball in my hands and let me just go out there and operate." Head coach Todd Monken praised Watson’s second-half effort, noting the quarterback completed 17 of his final 21 throws and added 22 rushing yards despite a struggling running game.

The performance, however, does not settle questions about Watson’s long-term fit in Cleveland. The quarterback, acquired in a trade that included three first-round picks and a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract, has posted below-average efficiency metrics since joining the Browns, ranking near the bottom of the league in expected points added per dropback, yards per dropback, and sack rate. Analysts point out that this was only his fifth game with a completion rate above 70 % in the past five seasons and his fourth with a passer rating over 100.

Cleveland’s contract with Watson includes a post-June 1 designation that would allow the team to void the deal in March 2027, limiting the salary-cap impact to $34.663 million. The Browns will face the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, a game that could further influence the quarterback discussion.