Browns seemingly make decision on Deshaun Watson

By Kevin Harrish on September 20, 2026September 21, 2026

Before Sunday’s game between the Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reports surfaced indicating that the Browns were planning to “evaluate” Deshaun Watson during the game as the team considered whether or not to make a change at the position. After the game, it seems that the team has made up its mind.

Watson played well in the 23-19 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday, and it seems that it was enough for him to continue on as the team’s starter for at least another week.

Ahead of Watson’s second start of the season on Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL insider Ian Rapoport of ESPN reported that the Browns were planning to “evaluate” Watson on his performance through the first two games before making a decision on his status as the team’s starter.

“While no firm decision has been made for Week 3, the belief is that the first two games would serve as a natural evaluation point. In other words, the Browns could use the return to Cleveland for their Week 3 home opener and a two-game sample size as the impetus for a quarterback change,” Rapoport wrote for ESPN.

This news came after the Browns struggled on offense during the first week of the season. He Watson and the offense struggled again against the Buccaneers, it likely would have resulted in a quarterback change. Now, however, it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen.

Watson bounced back in a big way on Sunday afternoon, completing 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns to lead Cleveland to a 23-19 victory.

After the game, Browns head coach Todd Monken was asked whether or not Watson would remain the team’s starter for the team’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers next week, given the report from earlier in the day.

Monken made it pretty clear that would be the case. In fact, he was rather incredulous that the question was even being asked.

“Really?” Monken said, via Zac Jackson of The Athletic. “Really? I’m gonna enjoy this win and I thought he played his [expletive] off. I’m gonna leave it at that. I’m so happy for him.”

Needless to say, it sounds like Watson will indeed get the chance to start for the Browns on Sunday. We’ll have to see what kind of reception he gets from the crowd as it will be his first game starting since he was booed by the Cleveland crowd last month.