Chad Ochocinco points to Week 3 as Deshaun Watson’s Browns future hangs in balance with Shedeur Sanders
After head coach Todd Monken named Watson QB1 for Week 1, Ochocinco said on Nightcap that Cleveland could turn to Shedeur Sanders if things go badly early. He pointed specifically to the Browns’ third game, saying a quarterback change could come before Week 4. The Browns will begin the 2026 regular season with Watson against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13. Cleveland then travels to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before returning home to play the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. The quarterback signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal with Cleveland in 2022, making the decision a major financial commitment for the Browns. “Mark my words, I haven’t been wrong yet. … If the third game does not go the way it should, a change will be made going into Week 4. Through two games, he has completed 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines He went 11-for-15 for 126 yards against the Chicago Bears, then completed only 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and an interception against the Buffalo Bills. He has played only 19 games for Cleveland since joining the team in 2022 and missed the entire 2025 season after a re-rupture of his right Achilles tendon. But if Ochocinco’s prediction proves right, the Week 3 meeting with Carolina could become much more important than a normal home opener.
Because of his contract, speaking on Nightcap, Ochocinco said he had already expected Watson to get the first chance. NFL.com reported that Watson and Sanders will both sit out Cleveland’s preseason finale against the New England Patriots.
“I said it before preseason started, when they went to training camp, it’s Deshaun Watson’s (starting job) to lose,” Ochocinco said. The Browns have not said they plan to make such a change, and Monken has stressed that naming Watson the starter was not meant to be a week-to-week decision. Chad Ochocinco believes Deshaun Watson may have only three games to prove he should remain the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback. That third game is the one Ochocinco believes could become a major test for Watson. “So, they’re gonna allow him to start, and they had two games on the road. I’m not sure what’s gonna happen with those two games, hoping he looks the part. But if he doesn’t, that first home game, the third game of the season, if it’s not going well, at that point a change will be made. He then made his prediction even more direct. I’m telling you right now ahead of time. That would put Shedeur Sanders in the middle of the conversation. Watson’s preseason has not made the situation any easier. The Bills loss also brought boos from Browns fans, adding more attention to Watson’s return. For now, Watson remains the Browns’ QB1. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.