The Cleveland Browns have made their decision for the start of the 2026 season. Deshaun Watson will be the starting quarterback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, the NFL officially reported. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
The announcement marks Watson's return to a starting role after missing the entire 2025 season. He now has an opportunity to open the season as Cleveland's quarterback at an important point in both his career and the Browns' plans.
Why will Deshaun Watson start?
Cleveland's coaching staff has given Watson the responsibility after his recovery. The quarterback acknowledged that his return will have ups and downs but said he is excited to be a starting quarterback in the NFL again.
The Jacksonville game will be only his third Week 1 start. Watson missed the opening games of the 2022 and 2025 seasons because of a suspension and injury, respectively. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
A return after a long absence
Watson has not completed a full season in several years. After arriving in Cleveland from Houston, his time with the Browns was affected by suspensions and injuries.
A shoulder injury and surgery limited him in 2023, while he played only seven games in 2024 because of an Achilles injury. He subsequently underwent two surgeries that led to him missing the entire 2025 season. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
His return is one of Cleveland's biggest storylines heading into the new campaign.
Watson has plenty to prove
Before joining Cleveland, Watson was one of the NFL's most productive quarterbacks. With Houston, he earned three Pro Bowl selections and led the league in passing yards in 2020. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
However, he has not consistently returned to that level during his time with the Browns. This new opportunity gives him a chance to show that he can still be the quarterback Cleveland expected when it acquired him.
Week 1 will provide the first real test of that comeback.
An important season for Cleveland
Watson is also entering the final year of his current contract. According to NFL.com, his deal carries a $40.9 million salary-cap charge for Cleveland in 2026. :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}
That makes his performance even more important. Cleveland needs to determine how much Watson can contribute before making future decisions about the position and his expensive contract.
The Jacksonville game will not answer every question, but it will provide the first evaluation of Watson in an official game following his lengthy recovery.
What should we expect from Watson in Week 1?
The biggest question will be his timing. After such a long absence, Watson must regain his feel for live-game situations, particularly while facing defensive pressure.
Cleveland's priority will be avoiding a situation in which the quarterback has to carry the entire offense immediately. A productive running game and strong pass protection could make his return easier.
Watson, meanwhile, will need to show that he can make quick decisions, protect the football and capitalize on the passing opportunities created by the offense.
A return that could shape the Browns' season
The decision is official: Deshaun Watson will start for Cleveland in Week 1 against Jacksonville. After missing the entire previous season, he will have the opportunity to begin a campaign from the opening game.
The result will matter, but so will Watson's physical response and performance during the opening weeks.
For the Browns, the goal will be to quickly determine whether Watson can approach the level he showed before arriving in Cleveland and once again become a long-term solution at quarterback.