Deshaun Watson Is Back Training, But His 1-6 Record Is Getting Hard to Ignore As He Fights For the Starting Job

Alright, 12s, listen up! While we're always buzzing about our own Hawks (or maybe stressing about the M's, am I right?), some wild stuff is going down in the AFC, and it involves a huge name trying to get back on track. Deshaun Watson, yeah, *that* Deshaun Watson, just reportedly rolled back into the Browns facility this week. You'd think a guy on a massive, fully guaranteed deal would just waltz into the starting QB spot, right? Nope. This isn't just a casual workout, folks, this is a full-on battle for the starting gig, and the pressure is cranking up already for the Browns as they head into the season.

The Shocking QB Competition Nobody Predicted

So, here's the real kicker: Watson is reportedly fighting tooth and nail with second-year phenom Shedeur Sanders for the starting quarterback spot. I mean, seriously? This is the guy they gave all that cash to, and he's got to prove himself against a young gun? Browns head coach Todd Monken apparently wanted a starter locked in by the end of the offseason program. But earlier this month, Monken admitted he wasn't ready to name one. Why? Because *both* Watson and Sanders have "shown the ability to play winning football for the club." That's a diplomatic way of saying, "Yeah, the guy we paid a fortune isn't exactly running away with it." You gotta wonder what's really going on behind closed doors for a coach to still be hedging this close to the season.

The Elephant in the

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

Room: Watson's Past Performance Let's not forget, Watson missed *all* of the 2025 season after tearing his Achilles. That's a brutal injury, no doubt. But he's also heading into the final year of that monster five-year, fully guaranteed contract that brought him to Cleveland in the first place. Think about that: final year, still fighting for the job. Since that infamous trade, he's started only 19 games. His stats in those games aren't exactly lighting the world on fire either: 61.2 percent completion, 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. And get this, a truly stomach-churning stat for any fan base: Cleveland went a dismal 1-6 in games Watson actually started during the 2024 season. One win in seven starts. That record right there, it tells you everything you need to know about why he's still got to fight for his job. It's not just the injury, it's the results when he was on the field. What's next for Watson as he tries to secure that starting role? Apparently, he's planning to host a passing camp for some offensive teammates down in South Florida in mid-July. And guess who's confirmed they'll be there? Shedeur Sanders. Yeah, the guy he's competing against. Talk about awkward tension, but also, serious dedication from Sanders. The stakes couldn't be higher for Watson; this isn't just about getting healthy, it's about proving he's still *the guy* before the regular season kicks off. Fans in Cleveland must be on the edge of their seats, wondering if their big investment will finally pay off, or if the future belongs to the young gun.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.