The days leading up to Week 1 are filled with optimism all around the NFL, as teams cling to their strengths and believe that they can overcome their weaknesses. That can even apply to their fans, especially if they have confidence in a team or coaching staff that has been successful before.
For the Cleveland Browns, none of that positive history currently exists. On top of that, their starting quarterback against the Jacksonville Jaguars will be Deshaun Watson, a very unpopular player who has been sidelined for almost two years and wasn’t very good before that.
Despite that, insider Tony Grossi is sharing a hopeful outlook for the Browns in 2026, saying that there is “a lot to look forward to.”
“Take the quarterback position out of it. I think there’s a lot to look forward to. The development of young players. There’s so much mystery with a new coaching staff. I am excited about the start. I feel good. I don’t feel like we’re entering a dark period. I feel good,” Grossi said.
"I am excited about the start, I feel good, I don't feel like we're entering a dark period," – @TonyGrossi says there's a lot to look forward to with this Browns season. pic.twitter.com/Pvzb8dyiHu
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 8, 2026
If only the Browns could take the quarterback position out of it. But based on his injury history and play that ranked among the worst QBs in the NFL, Watson may not be the starter for very long, as long as head coach Todd Monken isn’t stubborn about trying to prove his point.
Then, once Watson’s tenure is mercifully finished, the Browns will no doubt get a huge spark once Shedeur Sanders takes over. It would certainly invigorate the fan base whenever that happens, and watching him try to prove to the organization that he deserves to keep the job in the future would maintain interest in what is expected to be a difficult campaign.
The feeling around the Browns would already be so much different if Sanders were starting in Week 1. Even though teammates reportedly “love” Watson, despite his personal baggage, no one other than Monken seems to be excited about him as QB1.
On the other hand, the rest of the offense could be very entertaining, with rookie wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston joining second-year running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. On defense, Jared Verse will try to make fans forget all about Myles Garrett, and Carson Schwesinger will take aim at the NFL record for most tackles by a player in his first two seasons.
It is very difficult to watch and overcome bad quarterback play, but seeing these young players develop this season could be part of a fulfilling journey that takes place over the coming years.
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