On Sunday, Deshaun Watson will make his first start in almost two years when the Browns take on the Jaguars.
While Cleveland fans have been clear about their displeasure over Watson still being QB1 in 2026, he will have a chance to perhaps change some minds with his play in Week 1.
After Watson won the QB competition over Shedeur Sanders, he’s been taking all of the first-team snaps. That’s made a difference in the preparation, according to head coach Todd Monken.
“Watching him get all the reps the last couple of weeks and getting more and more comfortable, how it helped Shedeur in terms of his development by splitting the reps and having a competition, you can see the opposite of that,” Monken said in his Friday press conference, via transcript from the team. “He got a lot more of the reps, and you could see him getting more and more comfortable with the concepts, obviously putting the game plan in early and getting him comfortable.
“But I really like where he’s at.”
Watson’s task may become a bit more difficult with an offensive line that features rookies at left tackle and right guard.
The Jaguars finished No. 8 in points allowed and No. 11 in yards allowed last season.