Deshaun Watson is facing fresh scrutiny as the 2026 season approaches. Analysts are ripping the Cleveland Browns for their ongoing commitment to the quarterback. The franchise faces a high-stakes decision between Watson and rising star Shedeur Sanders.

“I just can’t stand Deshaun Watson. He doesn't deserve to play another down in the NFL,” said Bengals expert Matt Fitzgerald while reacting to the upcoming meetings between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns.

He added, “Cleveland is just a despicable operation on many levels, but acquiring Watson in the first place was a new low.”

Fitzgerald also said that he hoped Watson would start against the Bengals because then the Bengals would destroy his confidence and ultimately send him to the bench or out of the league entirely.

Fitzgerald named the Cleveland Browns as the team he would like to beat the most in the 2026 season.

Ryan O’Leary of the Dawg Pound Daily voiced agreement with Fitzgerald’s dislike for Watson. However, he called the aggression towards the Browns for an old decision as too much, considering that even many Browns’ fans and insiders have wanted Watson to be off the roster.

O’Leary further added that the only reason the Browns’ front office is keeping Watson is that they’re in the last year of his massive guaranteed contract.

Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract extension with the Browns in 2022, per Spotrac. If the Browns released him now, the franchise would face a huge financial hit, disabling them from building the rest of the roster.

However, in the past four seasons with the Browns, Watson has only played in 19 games due to recurring injuries and an 11-game suspension in 2022.

Given the QB1 competition in the Browns camp among Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dilion Gabriel, and Taylen Green, Watson is the most experienced of the lot and a three-time Pro Bowler.

Head coach Todd Monken hopes to make an informed decision regarding their QB1 soon, probably after OTAs.

Browns Finally Have a Timeline for the QB1 Decision Between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders

Conflicting reports from analysts have clouded the Browns' quarterback race.

Reportedly, the decision between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will be announced in June, as per a Cleveland insider, Tony Grossi.

During a recent episode of The Daily Grossi podcast, Grossi said, “I think it's still a bit early. I think by the time we get to minicamp in June, we’ll have a good idea of who his (Monken’s) 1, 2, 3, and 4 are.”

Head coach Monken will ultimately decide the depth chart order.

Grossi added that he did not expect a decision immediately, but noted that the team had already been working through evaluations during offseason activities.

John Conahan reported that there is a lot of chatter about the Browns possibly making Watson their starting QB. But all have to wait till June.

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Rudra Dubey