deshaun watson
deshaun watson
On Saturday afternoon, a lot of eyes were on the preseason debuts of Deshaun Watson and Bryce Young. One man was solid, and the other disappointed. But it might not be who you expect.
The Cleveland Browns‘ Week 1 preseason matchup with the Chicago Bears was a big moment in Watson’s career. After missing all of the 2025 season following two surgeries on his torn Achilles, he was given the ball to start the game and the opportunity to rebuild his broken reputation after several miserable years in Cleveland. And to the surprise of many, he looked solid in his first NFL action in a year and a half.
Unlike many other established players this week, Watson actually played the entire first half for the Browns. Hitting on 11 of his 15 passes for 126 yards. A lot of his yards came on a Dylan Sampson 43-yard screen, and he looked uncomfortable at times in the pocket, but it was still a very nice step forward for the three-time Pro Bowler. Cleveland scored 10 points with Watson running the offense.
If Watson can get anywhere close to the star he once was, the Browns could be a surprising Wild Card contender this season.
Bryce Young underwhelms for Carolina Panthers in 2026 preseason debut
bryce young
Aug 4, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) talks with a coach during training camp at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
In the spring, there were reports that the Carolina Panthers were seriously considering an extension for the 2023 No. 1 overall pick. Instead, they chose to exercise his fifth-year option. While Young is now locked into his deal through 2027, it still puts the onus on him to have a breakthrough season in 2026, prove he’s not a first-round bust, and hopefully get a big contract early next year.
Well, the start toward that goal wasn’t what the former Alabama star hoped for. On Saturday versus the Buffalo Bills, Young started the game and led the Carolina offense for the first three drives. He hit on 3 of his 5 passes for just 18 yards. He was sacked once, the offense went three-and-out every time, and, of course, they scored no points.
Obviously, it’s only the preseason. But this is year three for head coach Dave Canales, and the hope, as a respected QB guru, was that he would turn into the Pro Bowl talent the Panthers thought they would get in the 2023 draft. So far, he hasn’t come close to being that player, and this is turning into a make-or-break season for the coach.