Deshaun Watson has played in some very big games during his football career, including a college national championship game while at Clemson and three NFL playoff games while with the Houston Texans. However, the 30-year-old may have never faced a more important game, as far as his future is concerned, than his upcoming preseason start for the Cleveland Browns.
After sitting out since October 2024 because of multiple injuries to his Achilles tendon, Watson will be back in action for the first time in almost two years when he faces the Chicago Bears on Saturday afternoon. Not only does he need to prove that he can still play at a high level, but he also needs to hold off Shedeur Sanders in the competition to become Cleveland’s starting QB in 2026.
Considering that as Watson’s motivation, former NFL head coach Herm Edwards revealed his honest thoughts about the Browns’ QB battle, saying Watson should have the edge based on his 10-year pro career and the fact that this could be his last chance to become an NFL starter.
“This shouldn’t be a close competition. [Watson] has more experience than Shedeur has, so that’s what he’s gotta lean on. He should perform. He gets it. ‘This is my last shot,'” Edwards said.
Watson is guaranteed to remain on the Browns’ roster throughout this year, thanks to the salary cap ramifications of him being let go. So, his career is not technically on the line this preseason, but he has to get some kind of playing time to prove that he still has value in the NFL, either with the Browns or another team as an upcoming free agent.
That is a lot to put on anyone’s plate, but it could be especially daunting for someone who has been sidelined for so long. Watson is bound to be rusty in this game, and with Sanders slated to start for Cleveland next week against the Buffalo Bills, his number of snaps and chance to impress could be running out.
Watson has already accomplished a great deal by returning to the field as Cleveland’s QB1 for this game, but he will have to find a way to continue that journey beyond the one half of football he is expected to play on Saturday.
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