The Cleveland Browns are poised to re-evaluate their starting quarterback position following their Week 2 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with speculation mounting that Shedeur Sanders could replace Deshaun Watson for the Week 3 home opener against the Carolina Panthers. This potential change comes as the team returns to Cleveland after two away games.
Cleveland Browns: Quarterback Evaluation After Week 2
According to Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network, the Browns are expected to “make its evaluation” after Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers in Tampa, as reported by NBC Sports. Bleacher Report further notes that while “no firm decision has been made for Week 3, the belief is that the first two games would serve as a natural evaluation point.” This suggests the team could use the return to Cleveland and the initial two-game sample as an “impetus for a quarterback change.”
Deshaun Watson’s Performance and Fan Discontent
Deshaun Watson will start for the second consecutive week against the Buccaneers. His Week 1 performance in a 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars saw him complete 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while being sacked five times, as detailed by Bleacher Report. Since his last Pro Bowl nod in 2020, Watson has missed two full seasons and has averaged 178.5 yards per contest with an 81.3 passer rating in his 20 starts for the Browns. Fan support for Watson has “totally eroded,” and it is widely understood that the “customers do not want him” starting at home, according to NBC Sports. Coach Todd Monken has even employed a “restaurant metaphor” to describe the fan discontent.
Shedeur Sanders: Potential Starter Amid Quarterback Change
Should the Browns decide to make a change, Shedeur Sanders is expected to be the “next man up.” Although Sanders did not excel as a rookie in 2025, throwing for 1,353 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions with a 59.2 percent completion rate across the final seven games, he is considered the “closest thing Cleveland has to a long-term solution under centre.” The Browns possess two first-round picks in the 2027 NFL draft, and assessing Sanders’ talent level before the draft is crucial for future quarterback targeting. Moving Sanders up the depth chart as early as Week 3 would help fulfil this objective.
Implications for the NFL Season
The potential quarterback shift in Cleveland adds a layer of intrigue to the NFL season. Fans following the league, including those in Birmingham and the West Midlands, will be keenly watching the Browns’ decision and its impact on the team’s trajectory. For more on the wider NFL calendar, details are available in our article on the NFL 2026 Schedule Unveiled: Key Dates and International fixtures.
