Watson gets Browns' Week 1 start as contract debate follows

He carries a $40.9 million cap hit this season.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Aug 241 min read

"There is no way Deshaun Watson outplayed Shedeur Sanders" @FBallGameplan thinks the Browns decision came down to Watso Via @NFLonCBS on X

What happened: Cleveland chose Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders for its Sept. 13 season opener. FBallGameplan argued Watson did not win the job on performance and attributed the decision to his contract.

Why it matters: Watson has played 19 games for Cleveland since joining the franchise and is entering the final year of his deal. The choice keeps Shedeur Sanders behind Watson after an offseason-long competition.

By the numbers: Watson completed 16 of 27 preseason passes for 162 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Sanders went 15 of 22 for 153 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

What to watch: Watson's Week 1 performance will shape whether Cleveland maintains the order or turns to Sanders during the season.

Sources

@NFLonCBS 2026-08-24T15:12:45.968893+00:00

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