With all of the off-field noise surrounding the choice of Deshaun Watson as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback, it might be easy to forget that he actually is going to have to produce on the field, beginning with the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It is also hard to project what that might look like, given that he hasn’t played in an NFL regular-season game in almost two years.
Based on what Watson showed in three quarters of preseason action, it would be wise not to expect too much. Head coach Todd Monken said he chose Watson over Shedeur Sanders because the veteran gives the team the best chance to win, but it might also be because he is experienced enough to give them a lesser chance to lose.
With that in mind, insider Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com is expressing his honest expectations for Watson in Week 1, saying he will be more of a game manager than anything else.
“My expectations are not super high. I’m thinking more along the lines of just managing the game. I’m not expecting spectacular things from Deshaun Watson. I don’t think there’s necessarily any reason to expect that, based on what we saw throughout camp and the preseason,” Labbe said.
"My expectations are not super high. I'm thinking more along the lines of just managing the game."
➡️ @dan_labbe w/ @VulinecJake and @NickPedone12 on his expectations for Deshaun Watson in the #Browns season opener https://t.co/qP7cuUMgxP pic.twitter.com/cPEvPWF306
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) September 7, 2026
About to turn 31 years old the day after this game, Watson certainly did not do anything spectacular during his preseason appearances, other than to agitate a fan base that was already vehemently against him anyway. Playing two quarters against the Chicago Bears in the opener, he averaged just 4.4 air yards per pass and did not have an attempt of more than 10 yards.
Then, while getting booed against the Buffalo Bills, he managed just 36 yards on 12 attempts, with 20 yards coming on one completion. He will have to pose much more of a threat for the Browns to defeat the Jaguars, a playoff team that had 13 victories last season.
Cleveland will also be adjusting to a completely rebuilt offensive line, while finding a way to incorporate rookie wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston into the passing attack. Not only that, Monken will be managing his first NFL game as a head coach.
So, a conservative, unspectacular approach relying on Cleveland’s elite defense might be best for all involved, even though it might prove very difficult to win that way.
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