The Cleveland Browns remain undecided on their starting quarterback for the 2026 season between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. NFL analyst Chad Ochocinco shared who the Browns are leaning toward at the moment.
After missing all of last season rehabbing two surgeries to repair his right Achilles tendon, Watson aims to play in his final season of the $230 million guaranteed contract. On the other hand, Sanders impressed many with his performances in his rookie season.
On the latest episode of “Nighcap,” Ochocinco thinks Watson has six weeks to prove he can lead the Browns offense in 2026. If things don’t go well, Sanders could take over.
“Cleveland Browns fan or not, Deshaun Watson is the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns,” Ochocinco said. “The job that Deshaun Watson is going to get, Uncle Joe, it is his job to lose. He has six weeks. I guarantee you, listen to me now, I’m telling you, I’m calling it right now, Uncle Joe, he has six weeks to make sure that team is playing above or better than whatever the expectations may be for that team and that quarterback.
“If he’s not, Shedeur Sanders will fall in line as the backup and be the starter for the remainder of this season.”
The assumption from Ochocinco is consistent since Deshaun Watson is getting first-team reps under new head coach Todd Monken over Shedeur Sanders. However, we saw last year that the Browns didn’t hesitate to shuffle quarterbacks, meaning Watson could be walking a tightrope.
Fans shared their reactions to the video, with many making their feelings clear on the Browns’ starting quarterback situation.
“F that, the stadium will be empty.. The fans want Shedeur,” one fan wrote.
“I love Shedeur, but contract wise u gotta play Watson no matter what,” one fan added.
“Accept that Sanders is not the answer for y’all. Listen to what people and coaches are saying. Everyone is saying Watson is finally healthy. NO shoulder problems. And they say he looks like his old self. If he doesnt than we draft our future QB. But Sanders will never be the future,” one fan wrote.
“This is stupid and proves nothing because by the time Shedeur takes over in week 7, the weather will be bad again and everyone will downplay his performance due to lack of stats. We have already seen Watson!” another fan wrote.
“So they tryna start off losing to run an experiment 😂” one fan reacted.
“If they don’t start Sanders week 1, a proper evaluation would have never been done. Waiting until half the season to make him a starter after the team has given up and the weather has gotten terrible would just leave everyone wondering if he’s the guy,” one fan remarked.
Deshaun Watson Not Bothered About Outside Noise Ahead of Potential Return as QB With Browns
Deshaun Watson has been attending mandatory minicamp and voluntary workouts this offseason to fully showcase his skill set before his five-year extension comes to an end.
During his four years with Cleveland, the quarterback has faced external controversies and injuries that have really hurt the Browns. On Wednesday, he talked with reporters, saying he doesn’t mind what other people think about him.
“At the end of the day, I can’t control what people support. I think that’s their own opinion,” Watson said Wednesday. “I think that all I can do is just put out the best person I am, showcase who I am as a person, as a player, as a teammate, and what I represent as an individual. So outside of that, I can’t focus on what the outside is saying.”
Browns head coach Todd Monken is expected to announce the name of the starter before training camp. There is a good reason to believe that Watson could make his first start after 693 days on Sept. 13 at Jacksonville in the Browns opener.
Read More News:
“Holy Overpay”: NFL World Reacts As Titans Splurge Over $105M On DT Jeffery Simmons
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
