The Cleveland Browns have entered an uncharted part of their season where every win with Deshaun Watson at quarterback earns him another start. The longer that goes on, the more questions will be raised about the veteran’s long-term future.
It will also have an impact on the outlook for Shedeur Sanders. Every game he remains on the bench is one less opportunity he gets to prove that he should be the QB solution for the franchise.
Entering Cleveland’s Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic has an honest admission about Watson’s future, saying he is unlikely to be the Browns’ QB next year, and his tenure is going to come to an end during this season.
“The chances that he’s on this team next year remain slim. Frankly, the chances that he’s the quarterback around the bye week probably remain slim. But they’re winning. He’s getting a little bit better. The fourth quarter results have been good. This offense really does have some room to grow. He’s got to quit throwing the ball right to the other team because eventually they’re gonna be caught,” Jackson said.
“The chances that he’s the quarterback around the bye week probably remain slim.”@AkronJackson on Deshaun Watson’s future as the Browns’ starter despite the team winning and Watson showing improvement.
w/ @KenCarman & @SportsBoyTony #Browns pic.twitter.com/1KsDzLyywB— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) September 29, 2026
If Jackson’s prediction is accurate, Watson still has plenty of time before the Browns’ bye arrives in Week 11. With the potential to become a free agent or re-sign after the season, he can continue to increase his market value by holding on to the job for as long as he can.
He’s already had it longer than many people thought he would, with Sanders widely predicted to take over for last week’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers. That was seen as even more certain after Watson came up well short in a 34-10 Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But the veteran was able to lead the Browns to a comeback win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, leaving him in place for another late rally against the Panthers. Playing just his fourth game in almost two years, Watson could continue to improve week by week.
But there are some legitimate concerns that remain. According to Pro Football Focus, he has made six turnover-worthy plays among his 103 dropbacks, but he has just one interception. He was bailed out by the Panthers when they committed a roughing the passer penalty that negated an interception that would have ended the eventual game-winning TD drive.
So, there is still work to be done, but for now, Watson is the Browns’ starting quarterback, at the very least until Friday morning.
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