Entering this season, the Cleveland Browns were considered to have one of the worst quarterback situations in the NFL. Now, with Deshaun Watson showing glimpses of his previous Pro Bowl form and leading them to three wins in the first four games, that is no longer the case.
Yet where the Browns rank now is a subject for debate. Yes, Watson has arguably played better than he ever has in Cleveland, but how does that compare to the rest of the league?
With Watson’s surprising early-season results, analyst Tony Rizzo is turning heads with his latest claim, calling him one of the 10 best quarterbacks in the NFL.
“He’s a top 10 quarterback right now. He’s playing at a very, very high level,” Rizzo said.
"He's a top 10 QB right now, he's playing at a very high level," – Rizz on Deshaun Watson. pic.twitter.com/dIc92nbBoJ
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 5, 2026
Based on victories alone, it is impossible to dispute what Rizzo is saying. Watson has led three straight game-winning fourth-quarter scoring drives, with the latest setting up a field goal for a 27-24 triumph against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4.
It has put the Browns in first place in the AFC North, and they are one of 11 teams with at least three wins. That list includes four teams – the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks – who have started a backup quarterback this season.
But a closer look at the overall statistics shows that Watson still has a way to go to be considered among the league’s elite. His 69.6 completion rate ranks 11th, his 855 passing yards are 16th, and he is tied for 13th with six TD passes. His passer rating of 101.2 is 14th, and his QBR of 58.4 is 18th.
Digging even deeper, Pro Football Focus has him ranked 25th out of 34 eligible quarterbacks in overall grade, and 25th in passing grade. Even with 116 yards rushing on scrambles, he ranks 22nd out of 27 QBs in that area.
Granted, Watson’s overall ratings may be skewed by his Week 1 performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He can also be given the benefit of the doubt, as these have been his first four games played in almost two years as he comes back from two Achilles injuries.
So, as good as he has been so far, there is still plenty of room for him to improve as he tries to rejoin the ranks of the best quarterbacks in the game.
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