Even the most inexperienced fan can watch Deshaun Watson play quarterback for the Cleveland Browns and realize that it’s not very good. That was especially true in his final preseason game, and it carried over into the regular-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Watson accomplished very little in the first three quarters, other than helping the Jaguars take an early lead with an interception on his third pass of the game. He managed just 100 yards passing before finding his footing much too late in the 34-10 loss.
Based on what he saw, insider Tony Grossi isn’t holding back on what he believes is wrong with Watson, saying he’s “incapable” of playing quarterback in the NFL.
“He drifts. He doesn’t stay in the pocket. He doesn’t move forward in the pocket, and he runs into sacks. These are some of the criticisms I had for Shedeur Sanders last year as a rookie, and I see Watson doing just as bad, if not worse, and he shouldn’t, because he’s a 31-year-old NFL veteran of eight or nine years. I did not see Watson having that kind of game all summer. I liked what I saw to a degree. It was not horrendous. Then the Buffalo preseason game came, and the way Watson reacted to that was a tremendous setback. I really think it’s all up in his head. He’s incapable of making decisions and playing the position right now,” Grossi said.
Who's more to blame in the #Browns game 1 loss – Deshaun Watson or the play calling?
🏈 Legendary @ESPNCleveland analyst @TonyGrossi joined me to talk Cleveland's struggles, Baker Mayfield revenge, & future decision at QB.
Full episode 👇https://t.co/dcDRjfySCm pic.twitter.com/tPtBv1lBtD
— Andy McNamara (@AndyMc81) September 19, 2026
Those shortcomings have prevented Watson from being able to get the ball downfield, which has put severe limitations on what the Browns’ offense is capable of. That was evident during the preseason, but head coach Todd Monken decided to name Watson the starter over Sanders anyway.
Then, Monken doubled down on his choice by saying he saw some good things from Watson when watching the film from the Jaguars game, when he threw an interception on his third attempt and took five sacks. Combined with his string of comments about disrespectful booing and unreasonable expectations, Watson has infuriated the fan base with more than just his play on the field.
He may have one final chance to make it right on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the quarterback he replaced in Cleveland, Baker Mayfield, on the other side, it would be a doubly satisfying achievement if Watson were able to play well in a Browns victory.
But based on his disappointing history with Cleveland over the past four seasons, it is much more likely that the game will lead to strenuous debate over whether Watson should be subjected to the wrath of the fans in next week’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers, and whether the fans should be subjected to watching him in person.
NEXT: Insider Turns Heads With Browns-Bucs Game Prediction
