Deshaun Watson
Aug 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the first half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
This morning, the Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback. In typical Browns fashion, the announcement came a short time after ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky argued Watson shouldn’t even be part of the team’s roster.
Watson beat out second-year pro Shedeur Sanders, despite a mediocre preseason performance, which included being booed by the home fans during Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Afterwards, Watson criticized Browns supporters for being “disrespectful.”
“The whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson said, via ESPN. “It’s a little bit [more] personal than that. So I think it’s a disrespectful thing. So yeah, I mean, I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. And yeah, just move on.
“Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fanbase, they cheered when I got hurt,” Watson later said. “So what does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially for your own city, and they cheer?”
Orlovsky doesn’t hold back
On ESPN this morning, Orlovsky used those comments as the backbone of his argument against keeping Watson in Cleveland.
“I don’t think they can have Deshaun Watson on the team after that interaction,” Orlovsky said. “And, if they somehow come out today and name Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback, if I was a Browns fan, I wouldn’t go to the game. You cannot handle a press conference that way, given the circumstances of what has transpired after they gave you $230-plus, $250 million guaranteed and the lack of performance and availability has shown itself.”
“I don’t think they can have Deshaun Watson on the team after that interaction” – Dan Orlovsky pic.twitter.com/ZsejX3VJiH
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 24, 2026
Of course, the Browns did exactly what Orlovsky said they shouldn’t do, within minutes of him saying they shouldn’t do it. We’ll see if any fans boycott now, as he suggested they should.
Orlovsky’s take Monday is a radical shift from his feelings last week, but we can’t really fault him for changing his mind.
Immediately after the Browns went public with their decision, Orlovsky said he was “shocked” and felt “awful” for the organization’s loyal fanbase.
“I am shocked. I feel awful for the fans of the Cleveland Browns.”@danorlovsky7 reacts to Deshaun Watson being named the starting QB pic.twitter.com/6LB5fAvxjJ
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 24, 2026
The worst acquisition in NFL history
There are moves that don’t work out, and there is what has happened with the Browns and Watson. Trading three first-round picks for a quarterback who just missed an entire season amid sexual misconduct allegations and then immediately giving him a five-year, $230 million deal before he plays a snap sounded like a bad idea at the time. In reality, it has been so much worse than expected.
Watson has appeared in only 19 games through his first four seasons in Cleveland, and when he has played, he’s played poorly. The aforementioned contract is the only reason why he even remains with the team.
If we had to guess, Watson won’t remain QB1 for very long, leaving Sanders the opportunity to take over. It’s outrageous he is even in the position to start at all though.
Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson
Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders
Ketel Marte
Ketel Marte
Melania and Donald Trump
Melania and Donald Trump