New NFL Rumors on Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Browns' QB Situation Amid 2-1 Start

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly ready to stick by Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback after a 2-1 start to the 2026 season.

ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi reported Thursday that "while team sources indicated that Watson's performance through three games hasn't convinced the Browns to consider Watson the long-term answer, Cleveland's surprising start has shifted the conversation inside the building to whether the 31-year-old passer and the Browns can build short-term momentum."

Oyefusi added, "Team sources said Watson's ability to move past negative plays and stretches instead of compounding them has stood out."

Following a season-opening loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Watson has led the Browns to back-to-back victories at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and against the visiting Carolina Panthers.

That marked Watson's first time since 2023 winning consecutive games in Cleveland, where in 2022 he signed a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal for which he has been mostly unavailable.

Watson made his return for the last year of that contract, and the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon in 2024, after beating out Shedeur Sanders for the Week 1 starting job in training camp.

ESPN's Ian Rapoport reported after the season-opening loss to the Jaguars the Browns planned to re-evaluate the QB1 position after Week 2.

The Browns turned again to Watson as starter for Week 3, after which Rapoport reported on NFL Network Watson had played well enough the Browns no longer wanted to "go week-to-week" in terms of which quarterback would be starting.

Sanders still looks set to stick around in Cleveland, especially given the status of Watson's expiring contract. Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot reported last weekend the Browns have no plans to trade either Sanders or Dillon Gabriel by the Nov. 10 deadline.

With Gabriel currently on IR with a back injury, Sanders will be slated to back up Watson Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watson is heading into the matchup having so far completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 587 yards with five touchdowns and an interception to go along with 105 rushing yards in three games.