If Deshaun Watson is able to perform well in 2026 and lead the Cleveland Browns to more wins, there will be some people calling it a massive NFL comeback. Ken Carman won’t be one of those people, and he won’t be praising Watson, no matter how well he does.
Speaking on 92.3 The Fan, Carman said Watson isn’t worthy of being called a comeback star.
“No. He doesn’t get any credit [for a potential comeback story]. I think the organization gets blamed. He’s not proven anything to me. You’re out of here on the first thing smoking any chance you get. He does gotta get ready to try to win a job. He was gonna have a chance to win a job, so I can understand that. In most cases, he was out of here on the first thing smoking. Long-term, would you sign a contract long-term? Well, they might be the only organization that’ll have you,” Carman said.
"Does he deserve any credit for a potential comeback story here?"
"No. He doesn't get any credit. I think the organization gets blame."
➡️ @SportsBoyTony and @KenCarman on Deshaun Watson as the #Browns potential starting QB pic.twitter.com/HYZ6uGNuBl
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 13, 2026
First of all, it’s far too early to call Watson’s season a “comeback” because he hasn’t played a single game yet. No one knows how he will do. He could play incredibly well and silence his critics, or he could still suffer from problems.
But even if he does step up and look like his former self, some people won’t be ready to praise him. They may believe that he’s only getting his act together in order to secure another contract, considering this is the last year of his deal with the Browns. They will claim he isn’t attempting to lead the team, but instead to earn an extension.
There is a chance that Watson far exceeds all expectations. If the Browns end the season with 10 wins, people might sing a different tune. But right now it feels like more wins won’t be enough to change some opinions about the veteran QB.
The comments from Carman and others prove that a lot of people hold negative feelings about Watson. Todd Monken has said he won’t listen to those opinions as he makes his roster choices, but it’s hard to imagine him not being aware of them.
Many people have written Watson off, and it may be impossible to change that.
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