The Cleveland Browns sparked strong reactions by naming Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback. Not everyone expects him to keep the job for long. Watson, who hasn't played in a regular-season game since Oct. 20, 2024, will draw Cleveland's Week 1 start over Shedeur Sanders.
The 30-year-old returns from twice tearing his Achilles after playing just 19 subpar games for the Browns since joining the team in 2022. Ryan Fitzpatrick thinks it's only a matter of time before Watson falters and loses the job. The former quarterback gave a blunt assessment of Cleveland's quarterback situation while in the Prime Video broadcast booth during Thursday's preseason win over the New England Patriots.
"This is set up here for Shedeur," Fitzpatrick said, via Awful Announcing. "I mean, Deshaun, once he fails, Shedeur is gonna jump into this thing, and he's gonna be the guy. And this city is gonna be behind him." Fitzpatrick didn't hesitate when Kirk Herbstreit asked if he expects Watson to fail.
"Yeah," Fitzpatrick replied. "It's gonna happen." Although he anticipates Sanders receiving another shot, Fitzpatrick doesn't sound confident that the second-year pro will excel and lock down the starting job. The longtime journeyman also believes fellow 2025 pick Dillon Gabriel will get reps.
"Shedeur's playing this year. I think all three of these guys, I think Gabriel is going to have a chance to play as well," Fitzpatrick added. "This is such a young roster.
A lot of changing parts and a lot of new guys, so they're gonna struggle on offense this year." Watson has posted an 80.3 quarterback rating during his disastrous Browns tenure, and he appeared to further alienate fans by calling them "disrespectful" for booing him. The three-time Pro Bowler will get another chance, but a slow start may prompt Cleveland to quickly sit him for Sanders or Gabriel.
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