The Cleveland Browns have another difficult matchup on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be doing everything possible to avoid heading home in Week 3 at 0-2. The major subplot on Sunday is that former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will be on the opposite sideline aiming to beat his old team for the first time, and if he can do so, he may be able to end the career of the man who replaced him in the process.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson made his unceremonious return in Cleveland’s Week 1 blowout against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and if he is unable to put forth a better performance against Tampa, that might be a wrap for him as the Browns quarterback. It’s possible this is it for him in the NFL entirely if things don’t go well, and some insiders are more than ready for him to be sent packing.
During a recent episode of The Linda Cohn Show, she echoed Mary Kay Cabot’s sentiment that Watson should be gone after Sunday. She believes this will be his final start for the Browns.
“Shedeur Sanders will start in Game 3 at home. You can bet on that. I give you permission,” said Cohn.
Linda Cohn: "Shedeur Sanders will start in Game 3 at home. You can bet on that. I give you permission."
When Linda speaks, people listen, man.🔥
Credit: @lindacohn pic.twitter.com/7X6jMdNGHy
— Shedeur X (@ShedeurX) September 19, 2026
As if Watson’s play wasn’t enough to convince the Browns to end his tenure in Cleveland, he has actively turned the fans and media against him over the past few weeks with his disparaging comments. Unfortunately, he is likely the best option the team has at the moment, and he gives the other young weapons in this offense the best chance to develop.
Even if that’s the case, the long-term damage of starting Watson in front of a Cleveland fan base that is openly rejecting him could be too much. It would create some irreversible bad faith with the fans to start him unless he has a strong performance this Sunday.
There could be a major fallout from Sunday’s game. One way or another, it’s going to be a can’t-miss battle, and hopefully Browns fans head into Week 3 with a renewed sense of clarity.
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