The Cleveland Browns will look to their veteran quarterback, Deshaun Watson, as they begin their season Sunday, and according to former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, it was the right move. Watson was part of a much-discussed quarterback competition with Shedeur Sanders this offseason. Ultimately, new head coach Todd Monken chose Watson as the starter; he is healthy after missing all of last season while recovering from an injury setback after surgery.
"I'm glad [Watson is] the starter. I think that's good because it gives Shedeur some time to continue to mature and get better. But D-Wat gotta go prove to the world," Vick said in a video clip on his YouTube channel.
Vick's comments are spot on, and while the decision to make Watson the starter didn't go over well with all Browns fans, it makes sense from the team's standpoint of relying on his experience and realizing they paid a lot of money to sign him after a 2022 trade. More news: Browns GM Hints Dillon Gabriel Could Shakeup QB Plans When He Comes off IR Shedeur Sanders was the Browns' starter for seven games last season, after fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel was knocked out of action. With seven games to prove himself, Sanders posted a 3-4 record in his starts, threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns still had Watson in recovery mode. Watson suffered an Achilles tear during his 2024 season and then needed surgery again in January 2025 after he re-ruptured his right Achilles tendon. Those setbacks kept him out of action, and the Browns had to rely on other options at QB.
They also signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million contract to star as their quarterback. With that type of investment, it makes plenty of sense that they'd want to give him a shot to show what he can do as their starter this season. He hasn't played more than seven games in a season for the Browns, so this could finally be his chance to have a full, healthy season to lead the team.
Whether he returns to the stellar performances he had back in 2018 and 2019, when he went to the NFL Playoffs with the Houston Texans, remains to be seen. The Browns open their schedule on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with all eyes on Watson. Should he not perform up to expectations, the Browns have backups Sanders and Taylen Green awaiting their opportunities to shine.
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