It’s only Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season, and it’s not hyperbole to say that this is already a massive week for the Cleveland Browns. The team is currently 0-1 after being embarrassed in Week 1, and will face off against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
The biggest storyline of Sunday’s game, though, will be about Cleveland’s current quarterback Deshaun Watson, and how long he will remain the team’s starter. Watson had a lackluster performance in Week 1, and there’s a belief that a repeat on Sunday would result in the veteran quarterback being benched for Shedeur Sanders before the Browns return to Cleveland for their home opener in Week 3.
That belief is already gaining momentum before the Browns even take the field in Week 2, as it seems the franchise is preparing for the worst to happen against the Buccaneers. This is evident in two recent reports from people who usually know what’s going on inside Cleveland’s building.
Recent reports suggest that a Browns’ quarterback change could come in Week 3
Longtime Browns’ beat writer Mary Kay Cabot recently released a trio of pieces that point towards a pending quarterback change. On Friday, Cabot shared a piece detailing how Sunday’s start against Tampa Bay could be Watson’s last for the Browns. The piece highlighted many of Watson’s training camp struggles that were essentially overlooked until they showed up in Week 1.
Cabot followed that piece up with a Saturday publishing of an article about how Shedeur Sanders is expected to play much better than he did as a rookie, whenever he gets his next opportunity. Finally, Sunday morning, Cabot shared another piece exploring what happens with Watson once Sanders is named starter.
This could just be an example of an experienced reporter having great timing, and anticipating what will happen in the coming days for the team she knows well. However, considering Cabot’s history in Cleveland, and how plugged in she usually is with what’s going on with the franchise, fans believe this is an example of the Browns using a respected journalist to soft launch a quarterback change.
A Sunday morning article by veteran NFL insider Ian Rapoport only furthered that belief. Rapoport reported that Cleveland is planning to evaluate its quarterback situation after Sunday’s game.
"If Watson plays well and leads Cleveland to a victory, the Browns have an easy decision. If it does not go well for Watson in a loss, a change could be coming.Ian Rapoport
The middle ground is the area where it's less clear."
It’s not a coincidence that NFL insiders and longtime team reporters are publishing these stories ahead of Sunday’s game. While fans and media members can read the tea leaves to make predictions, teams also release information through insiders and reporters to prep everyone for what’s to come. Cleveland could be getting everyone prepared to watch Shedeur Sanders start in Week 3.
That's certainly a plan that Browns fans can get on board with. Fans have already made it clear that they are fed up with Deshaun Watson, and the franchise knows that it will be an ugly scene if the team returns to Cleveland for its home opener at 0-2 with Watson still starting. Understanding that, Sunday is seemingly a make-or-break game for Watson’s future with the Browns.
Add us as a preferred source on Google