Browns announce Deshaun Watson as starting quarterback for season opener

Cleveland head coach Todd Monken confirmed that veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson will start the Browns' season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, beating out second-year player Shedeur Sanders for the role. Monken said Watson's seven years of NFL experience and his health after rehabbing a double Achilles tear were key factors in the decision.

Watson, who is entering the final year of a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract, has been with the Browns since a 2022 trade that cost the team three first-round picks. He missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from injury and faced numerous sexual-assault allegations. The team still carries about $86 million in cap commitments to him, and the 2026 season is expected to be his last with Cleveland.

During training camp, Watson and Sanders split reps and each started a preseason game. In the second preseason contest, Watson entered in the third quarter, was booed by the home crowd, and threw an interception. After the game, Watson acknowledged the negative reaction, describing it as “personal” and suggesting he might need to treat the season as if it were 17 road games.

Monken indicated that Watson offers the best chance to win early in a schedule that begins with six of the first nine games on the road, despite the likelihood of continued fan hostility. He also expressed concern about Sanders' limited experience handling the full offense, though he praised Sanders' improvement and said the team has two starting-quality quarterbacks.

The Browns have added new receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and revamped their offensive line and scheme. Watson's first preseason snap in Chicago was his first live action in roughly 22 months. The team will play a final preseason game against New England before trimming rosters to 53 players for the regular season.