The Cleveland Browns didn’t give their fans much good to talk about in their embarrassing Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Almost all of the conversation still revolves around their quarterback situation, with Deshaun Watson proving his critics right with a terrible performance.
The bright side may be that the discourse surrounding Watson and Shedeur Sanders continues to overshadow the rest of the team, which did not distinguish itself in any way in the 34-10 defeat. But at some point, fans will turn their attention to other units as well, maybe sooner rather than later.
As for the Browns themselves, analyst Lance Reisland revealed what they must focus on to start winning, and that is to change the narrative around the team to what is actually happening on the field.
“For me, I look forward to talking about the Browns from my point of view, not constantly debating who should play at certain positions, but discussing how to attack the opponent. Let’s talk personnel, strengths and weaknesses, fronts, coverages, pressures, stunts, formations, down and distance, and the details that matter when it comes to winning football games. Until that becomes the conversation going into each week, the Browns will continue to struggle,” Reisland posted.
For me, I look forward to talking about the Browns from my point of view, not constantly debating who should play at certain positions, but discussing how to attack the opponent. Let’s talk personnel, strengths and weaknesses, fronts, coverages, pressures, stunts, formations,…
— Lance Reisland (Coach Riz) (@LanceReisland) September 15, 2026
That will be much easier said than done, as Watson will continue to be the primary focus both locally and nationally until the matter is settled one way or another. Either the 31-year-old will turn his career around and start playing at least adequate football, or head coach Todd Monken will give up his stubborn belief that it will happen and finally use Sanders at quarterback instead.
Meanwhile, Cleveland needs to improve the rest of the team. The offense will not get better until Watson does, but that is no excuse for the six accepted penalties and 1-for-8 showing on third down the Browns suffered through on Sunday, especially after Monken put so much emphasis on its operation during training camp.
On the other side of the ball, Cleveland’s once-elite defense needs to live up to its status as the strength of the team. Losing defensive end Myles Garrett and coordinator Jim Schwartz should not be an excuse for giving up five scores on the Jaguars’ first six drives and allowing 166 yards passing in the first half.
There may come a day when fans will gladly discuss the topics Reisland wishes they would, but it looks like it will be a while longer before the Browns get to that point.
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