Browns' Deshaun Watson-led win over Bucs was the worst thing for Cleveland

Key Points:

• The Cleveland Browns' acquisition of quarterback Deshaun Watson has not met expectations, with Watson struggling since joining the team amid off-field legal issues and multiple injuries limiting his mobility.
• Despite a poor start to the 2026 season, Watson showed some improvement in Week 2, completing 80% of his passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though the Browns remain far from long-term success.
• Head coach Todd Monken praised Watson's second-half performance but acknowledged the team’s ongoing challenges, while also defending the decision to start Watson over backup Shedeur Sanders despite Watson’s low efficiency stats.
• Watson ranks near the bottom among NFL quarterbacks since 2022 in key metrics such as expected points added per dropback, yards per dropback, and sack rate, with only a handful of games showing strong completion percentages or passer ratings.
• The Browns have until March 11, 2027, to void Watson’s contract with limited salary cap penalties, signaling that the team may move on if his performance does not improve, especially as they face a tough Week 3 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.