Deshaun Watson could not have got his NFL regular season off to a worse start as he threw a brutal interception in just the FIFTH play of the game.
Controversy has surrounded the Cleveland Browns’ decision to name Watson as the starting quarterback. After suffering a torn Achilles tendon in January 2025, most expected the franchise to move on from the $230 million quarterback.
But despite his lackluster performances in preseason, and taking a shot at his own fans in a post-game interview after his first home game back since injury, head coach Todd Monken named Watson the starter.
And he did little to justify that decision as the right move in the very first game of the season, throwing an awful interception on just his third pass attempt of the season.
Having found Blake Whiteheart and KC Concepcion for two early completions, Watson threw an awful pass over the middle of the field that was easily picked off by linebacker Foyesade Oluokun.
He was almost picked off again on the second drive, throwing a wayward pass to Oluokun on third-and-six under pressure as the Jaguars linebacker dropped what should have been another interception.
Deshaun Watson threw an interception on just his fifth play of the 2026 NFL season
Watson threw the ball straight to Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun in an awful moment
And the third drive saw him fumble the ball as he was sacked, although it was fortunately recovered by the Browns before they punted down 14-0.
Watson has faced a scandal-filled time in Cleveland since he was traded to the Browns from the Houston Texans on a fully-guaranteed, five-year deal back in 2022.
He served an 11-game league suspension – and paid a $5m fine – in his first season after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions.
And having struggled on the field during an injury-prone few years, the decision to name him starter was met with surprise and ridicule after he beat out Shedeur Sanders for the job.
Watson was widely mocked online after his early interception, with fans saying: ‘Bench that loser for good’ and adding: ‘He is trash and the second go around, he threw the ball to the ground and almost got picked again…’.
Others predicted: ‘Sanders will be QB1 by week 4’ and said: ‘Watson is so bad. Browns fans I feel your pain.’
Speaking just moments before his first NFL game in 693 days, Watson told CBS Sports: ‘I feel great. I’m calm, I’m poised, I’m excited. All the hard work I’ve put in put me in this position today. I’m just ready to just go out there, cut it loose and have fun.
‘We go out there and execute. We know it’s going to be tough. We’re going to have to go out there and earn it.
‘But we just have to take it one play at a time. No matter what happened on that play, just keep moving forward until the end of the game and see where we’re at.’
Watson was controversially named the Browns starter after a lackluster preseason
Watson was starting his first NFL game in over 600 days after he suffered a torn Achilles
After being booed by Browns fans in preseason, Watson said: ‘It has nothing to do about the performance.
‘It’s a little bit personal. I think that’s a disrespectful thing. I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. Just move on.
‘Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles and that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt.
‘So what does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially for your own city and they cheer.’
Monken insisted he gave ‘zero’ consideration to Watson hitting out at Browns fans when he decided to name him the starter.
‘Absolutely not. Zero,’ Monken said Monday. ‘There was nothing to do with that.
‘Ultimately the fans want us to win and put a good product on the field. That’s our job as coaches. And when we don’t, I understand their frustration. But ultimately they don’t decide who plays. I mean, who would I be if I let someone outside of the building decide who plays?’
