Micah Parsons used his platform this week to roll out a series of bold predictions for the 2026 NFL season, touching on award races, breakout candidates and storylines worth tracking across the league. One of the more interesting segments centered on Deshaun Watson, whose path back to the field in Cleveland has been anything but smooth. Parsons says he has respect for Watson as a competitor, but questions what happens if this comeback season does not go the way Cleveland hopes.
“I respect Deshaun. I thought when we played him, I thought he was a great quarterback too. He’s tough as hell. My fear for him is if he doesn’t perform, will he get another opportunity again? That’s what I’m scared of. He’s a quarterback. Can we even name a run of injuries that’s been this bad? I actually respect that, and they have enough for Watson to win Comeback Player of the Year,” Parsons said.
Watson enters the season surrounded by a retooled supporting cast, including a revamped offensive line and a young receiving corps featuring Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, all factors that could genuinely support a bounce-back campaign if his health cooperates.
He has spent the better part of 2 seasons answering questions about health, availability and whether he can still play at the level that once made him one of the most coveted quarterbacks in football. What changes in 2026 is what he has around him. A rebuilt line, a young and hungry receiving room and a coaching staff building its own identity around him mean the pieces are finally in place for Watson to answer those questions on the field rather than in a press conference.
Whether this becomes the redemption story some around the league are already forecasting or another chapter in a frustrating injury saga likely comes down to the same simple factor it always has for Watson: staying upright long enough to show what he can still do.
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