Sometimes in life and in football, short-term success can get in the way of long-term growth and development. That's exactly what happened to the Cleveland Browns (1-1) in Week 2. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has not come within the same zip code of the expectations the Browns bestowed on him when they traded a package centered around three first-round picks to the Houston Texans to acquire his services before extending him on a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
That's on top of his extensive off-field legal issues. It appeared as though perhaps a second straight down week for Cleveland after getting punked 34-10 in Week 1 at the Jacksonville Jaguars might have led to curtains on the Watson era ahead of the team's home opener in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers (1-1). Instead, Watson was able to conjure a faint outline of the three-time Pro Bowler that he was with the Houston Texans from 2018 to 2020.
Now at 31 years old in 2026 after needing season-ending shoulder surgery (2023) and multiple Achilles tears (2024 and 2025), a less spry Watson cobbled together 238 yards passing and two passing touchdowns on 24-of-30 (80%) in a 23-19 weather-delayed win over his predecessor Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2). "I'm right where I want to be," Watson said postgame on Sunday, via ESPN. ... I told Monk at halftime to just trust me with the ball in my hands and let me just go out there and operate." Watson may be right where he wants to be, but the Browns are still a ways away from having any type of long-term success.
And Watson's glimmer of hope on Sunday may have even set them back in getting there. In the second half, Watson backed up what he told Monken at halftime, completing 17 of his final 21 throws for 183 yards, both of his touchdowns and 18 of his team-high 22 rushing yards. That provided his head coach a short-term high Sunday evening.
"He [Watson] played his rear end off in the second half, and he's doing it without us running the ball very well. ... That's hard to win [without the run game]... I thought he was in control, not perfect," Monken said postgame, via ESPN.
I'm very happy for Deshaun, and I'm happy for us and the team." After the victory, first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken clapped back with an impassioned remark at ex-Steelers coach Mike Tomlin's recent "Browns is the Browns" diss. "Browns are gonna Browns. The guys took that to heart," Monken said postgame.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
