Browns get brutal Week 1 Deshaun Watson prediction that is fairly realistic

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Browns get brutal Week 1 Deshaun Watson prediction that is fairly realistic originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Browns are entering the 2026 NFL season with Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback. After a training camp and preseason battle against Shedeur Sanders, Watson won the job and was named the starter by Todd Monken.

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Heading into a Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Browns and Watson are going to try to get started on the right foot. But, considering Watson's poor play the last time he's been on the field, it wouldn't be a shocker if they struggled.

CBS Sports Douglas Clawson is predicting Watson and the Browns will struggle, and enough to the point where they bench Watson after that one game, and he never plays in the NFL again afterwards. It's a brutal and bold prediction, but one that could come true.

Browns' Deshaun Watson predicted to never play in NFL after Week 1 of 2026 season

"Prediction: Week 1 will be Deshaun Watson's last NFL game," Clawson predicts. "Deshaun Watson won the starting QB job in Cleveland, but it won't last long (at all)."

Since his trade to the Browns, Watson has easily been one of the worst QBs in the NFL. The mammoth price tag to trade for him, plus his $230 million fully guaranteed contract, makes this trade easily the worst in NFL and maybe even sports history.

But for now, he's the starter heading into Week 1. Clawson is predicting Watson won't be the Week 2 starter, nor will he make another appearance in an NFL game.

While it's not likely Watson makes just one appearance in 2026 and never plays again in any capacity, it might not be too far from what will actually happen.

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It would be a true shocker if Watson played well this upcoming season. Cleveland is going to have a short leash with Watson as well. As good as he once was, he's been a shell of his former self with the Houston Texans since his trade to Cleveland.

This is also a rebuilding year after trading Myles Garrett. The Browns would likely much rather see what Shedeur Sanders has than continue to send Watson out there if he's putting together some terrible performances.

What could be his undoing is Watson struggling to get the ball to the new rookie receivers, KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. If the Browns can't properly evaluate their rookie WRs due to poor QB play, they're going to have to make a change.

MORE: Why Browns are making a massive mistake with Deshaun Watson as QB1 over Shedeur Sanders

Clawson is predicting the Browns will watch one week of Watson as the starter and decide to pull the plug. It's a brutal prediction, but one that could actually come true.

There is no reason to keep sending Watson out there if he's struggling. It would be a disservice to Concepcion, Boston, Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, Harold Fannin Jr. and Quinshon Judkins.

If the Browns bench Watson, what team would even give him a chance? The baggage isn't worth it, and the on-field production is terrible. He's older now and doesn't have much upside, if any at all. Once the Browns are done with him, his NFL career is likely over.

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