Analyst Reveals How Deshaun Watson Could Quiet Critics

There is no doubt that Deshaun Watson will enter next season with redemption on his mind. He didn’t play at all last season and has only appeared in 19 games since coming to the Cleveland Browns in 2022.

Speaking on ESPN Cleveland, Chris Oldach explained why a strong 2026 season from Watson would benefit everyone involved.

From Cleveland’s perspective, the goal is simple. They need consistent quarterback play and more production on offense. Watson, meanwhile, is motivated to prove he can still perform at a high level and silence the doubts that have followed him in recent years.

If he can stay healthy and return to form, it could stabilize one of the Browns’ biggest question marks. For Watson, it is an opportunity to reshape his narrative. For the Browns, it could be the key to finally unlocking their offense.

“Can I say this, though, about Deshaun [Watson]? I don’t think it’s going to work, but if it somehow does work, great. All Browns fans want is a winner. When Watson was initially brought in five years ago, everybody hated him. There was all this uproar, and guess what? He had that really good half against Baltimore, went 14 of 14, comeback win, and everybody said, ‘Okay, we’ve got our guy.’ The point being is if Watson ends up being the starter and he wins, people aren’t going to care. Bottom line, people won’t care,” Oldach said.

"If Watson ends up being the starter and he wins, people aren't gonna care," – @TheOGPAW.

Do you agree? https://t.co/aiMIUxM4Xt pic.twitter.com/D7FSeeLzHh

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) March 31, 2026

Most reports indicate that Watson and Shedeur Sanders will battle it out in training camp to decide who will be QB1.

Winning that battle would be significant, but it would only be the beginning. The real challenge would come during the season, when Watson would need to lead the offense and help the team produce more wins. Cleveland is not interested in another five-win campaign, and expectations will be much higher.

If Watson can deliver results, much of the criticism surrounding him and his contract could begin to fade. Success tends to reshape narratives quickly, especially in the NFL. Right now, there are still questions about his long-term future, but consistent winning would go a long way toward answering them.