The Cleveland Browns are heading into the 2026 NFL season with Deshaun Watson as their starting QB. Despite question marks around Watson's play and his injury record, he's started 19 games in 4 years, Browns management has reiterate that they feel Watson gives them the best chance to win.

Speaking on 92.3 The Fan, NFL analyst Eric Edholm said that the Browns could give Watson as little as two games before reevaluating their quarterback situation. Edholm also added that the first two games being away games may have helped convince the Browns to give Watson a shot:

"I think it's two games and you see how he's doing... they do start on the road for two games.

I wonder how much that played into it. You know, if it was at all, if they opened in Cleveland, would you be able to roll out Deshaun Watson and have any kind of positive fan reaction? I mean, I don't know. I think it was so ugly in that preseason game that you, that you kind of got a preview of what's to come." (via 92.3 The Fan)

What does Deshaun Watson have to do to keep the QB1 job?

Eric Edholm went on to talk about what he thinks Watson will have to do to keep the starting job heading into week 3. He feels that the Browns have to be 1-1 or better and that Watson will have to show that he can still be a starting quality QB. Edholm said:

"I do think that he's got to show you something pretty good in the first couple of games against, you know, against two good teams… but I really think it's two games and then you have to make another call."

Can Deshaun Watson roll back the years in 2026 and prove that he can still be a starting quality QB?

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Pratyay