Browns to evaluate Deshaun Watson QB1 experiment after battle with $165m former No. 1 overall pick

The Cleveland Browns' Week 2 showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be pivotal for Deshaun Watson.

The $230 million quarterback is up against the clock with growing belief that Shedeur Sanders could be inserted into the starting lineup for the Browns' Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers.

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Watson being named the starting quarterback for Cleveland by head coach Todd Monken was hugely controversial, with the decision being made just days after the 10-year veteran pitted himself against the Dawg Pound faithful.

His Week 1 performance in the Browns' 34-10 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars left very little to be desired, with the 31-year-old - in his first game since the 2024 season - completing 16-of-22 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown with an interception.

Much of that yardage came after the result had already been decided.

"It's only been two weeks he's gotten all the reps. And there were some really good things on film," Monken said after the Week 1 defeat. "Some things that you can build on, and there were some others that operationally we got to get better at. ...

"I did think that when he had time, when he understood the concepts, he didn't play tentative, that he let it rip. ... I'd like to see how we could build on that. I liked his week of practice last week, and I think he's only going to continue to get better."

Now, new reports have emerged that state that the Browns could look to reevaluate Watson's role on the team after their trip to Florida where they will take on Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

This does not come as a shock by any means, with Watson having been met with a chorus of boos as he took to the field at Huntingdon Bank Field during the preseason for the first time since he suffered a torn Achilles in 2024.

After calling out Browns fans, former NFL quarterback-turned-analyst Dan Orlovsky even called for the home support to boycott attending games until Watson is benched.

Sanders may enter the fray even sooner than expected

But Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot offered a more detailed insight into how the team's coaching staff may opt to handle things against the Bucs.

Spoiler alert - Watson may need to have a near-perfect performance to keep his job.

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"After Watson stumbled out of the gate in last week's 34-10 loss to the Jaguars, the leash has gotten very short, and Sunday's game in Tampa will likely be his last start — possibly appearance — for the Browns unless he knocks it out of the park," Cabot wrote on Saturday.

"It means Sanders has an excellent chance to start next Sunday's home opener against the Panthers, and the Browns expect him to play much better than he did last year as a rookie.

"With back-to-back home games coming up against Carolina and Pittsburgh … it might be the perfect time to pivot to the second-year pro."

Whilst reports indicate that Watson will have the entire game against the Bucs - with former Browns No. 1 overall pick Mayfield, who just penned a three-year, $165 million extension, on the other side of the field - to impress, ESPN's Seth Walder argues otherwise.

In fact, Walder not only predicts Sanders to get on the field in Tampa, but also tips him to throw a touchdown pass to end the QB1 debate once and for all.

“Browns backup QB Shedeur Sanders will throw a touchdown pass in this game,” Walder argued. “The Browns will finally come to their senses before the end of this game and will bench Watson.

"At that point it will be too late for Cleveland to win, but Sanders will at least manage a garbage-time score.”

Browns fans have cried out for Sanders to be handed the keys to the offense after helping Cleveland to three of their five wins in 2025.

Despite throwing for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns to 10 interceptions in eight games under center during his rookie season, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders was still named to the Pro Bowl.

Now, they might get their wish sooner rather than later.

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