Deshaun Watson Faces Challenges as 2026 NFL Season Begins

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson did not take long to commit his first turnover of the 2026 NFL season. Facing the Jacksonville Jaguars in Florida on a sunny Sunday afternoon, Watson moved the ball efficiently at first. He completed his opening throws with a 14-yard and a 9-yard pass.

The Browns advanced to the Jaguars’ 33-yard line within their first four plays. Unfortunately, the momentum shifted when Watson dropped back to pass. He failed to notice Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun in coverage, resulting in Oluokun intercepting the pass and returning the ball to the Jaguars’ 41-yard line.

This interception was not the start Watson hoped for, especially after a difficult few weeks. During the preseason, Browns fans expressed dissatisfaction with Watson, leading to tense comments from the quarterback. “It’s a disrespectful thing,” Watson remarked in August regarding the fan reactions. He reflected on the negative support he received after suffering an Achilles injury on the same Jacksonville field. Watson later apologized for his remarks, acknowledging that he lost his composure.

The controversy surrounding Watson impacted the Browns as they began the 2026 season. Former NFL coach Rex Ryan expressed strong opinions on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” stating that he would not have started Watson. Ryan suggested that the Browns should have taken severe action based on Watson’s press conference comments.

Despite challenging circumstances, Watson remains the starting quarterback. However, Shedeur Sanders stands ready to step in if necessary. Meanwhile, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence capitalized on the Cleveland turnover by connecting with Parker Washington for a 30-yard touchdown early in the game, putting the Jaguars ahead in the first quarter.