NFL, American Football Herren, USA New York Giants at Cleveland Browns Sep 22, 2024 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson 4 after the game against the New York Giants at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xScottxGalvinx 20240922_sns_bg7_00312
NFL, American Football Herren, USA New York Giants at Cleveland Browns Sep 22, 2024 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson 4 after the game against the New York Giants at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xScottxGalvinx 20240922_sns_bg7_00312
Aug 1, 2026, 11:00 AM CUT
NFL insider raises serious Deshaun Watson concern that should worry Browns fans
The Cleveland Browns QB battle is heating up, but Deshaun Watson is already losing momentum. After generating buzz during OTAs and minicamp, his rough training camp debut has analysts questioning whether Watson can still lead the Browns.
Just three days into training camp, The Athletic’s NFL insider Jason Lloyd has questioned whether Deshaun Watson still has what it takes to take on a starting QB role.
“Through the first couple of days of training camp, I'm not sure Watson is still capable of playing quarterback in the NFL, but the Browns are going to give him every opportunity to win this job out of camp,” wrote Lloyd on July 31.
According to Lloyd's July 31 report in The Athletic, Watson may have outperformed Sanders during minicamps, but the script has flipped.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Sep 7, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson 4 during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20250907_jhp_bk4_0465
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Sep 7, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson 4 during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20250907_jhp_bk4_0465
The veteran QB managed just a 54% completion rate on the opening day of training camp, while two interceptions stole the spotlight. Meanwhile, Sanders posted an 84% completion rate with zero interceptions.
On top of that, Sanders has developed strong chemistry with his receivers.
Lloyd expressed that if the Browns go with Watson despite these numbers, it would raise some serious questions about Sanders' future.
“If Watson manages to beat out Sanders, it will tell you without telling you what the Browns think of Sanders' NFL future,” wrote Lloyd.
One rough practice won't settle the QB race, but if Watson keeps struggling, Sanders will quickly seize the momentum. With the veteran entering the final year of his $230 million deal, the Browns' front office will have a major decision to make about his future.
That said, Watson has received an ultimatum from Browns general manager Andrew Berry.
GM sends a message for Deshaun Watson and Sheduer Sanders
While the QB battle is taking shape, general manager Andrew Berry said the team's future quarterback will be decided by one thing: how productive he can be.
“In terms of the whole quarterback of the future discussion, ultimately, we’re going to play the player who is the most productive on the field,” Berry said in his latest presser per Mary Kay Cabot. “…There’s no need to make any decisions about the future right now. And we’ll let it play out and figure out as we go.”
Berry made it clear that they weren't too concerned with Watson entering his thirties. Instead, the decision would be made based solely on their performance.
But, looking at the first few days of the Browns' training camp, the picture appears much gloomier for Watson.
Do you think Deshaun Watson can redeem himself before the end of training camp? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Suryakant Das
Edited by
Arundhoti Palit