Former NFL star Chad Ochocinco Johnson believes Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson faces an extremely short leash this season, suggesting he could lose his starting job as early as Week 3 if the team stumbles out of the gate.
Watson’s Starting Role Under Scrutiny
The Cleveland Browns have named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback for the upcoming 2026 NFL season, a decision that has sparked considerable debate among football enthusiasts. Many are questioning why Watson, rather than a promising prospect like Shedeur Sanders, earned the Week 1 start against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This choice by first-year head coach Todd Monken has put a spotlight on Watson’s performance and his substantial contract, especially given his struggles since joining the Browns.
Watson’s tenure in Cleveland has been marred by inconsistency and injury. He enters the new campaign still recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in 2024, marking his first regular-season action since the significant injury. The pressure on him is immense, a sentiment echoed by fans who booed him during a recent preseason home game against the Buffalo Bills. Watson himself characterized the boos as “disrespectful” and “personal,” rather than a direct critique of his on-field play.
Ochocinco’s Prediction: A Tight Leash
Chad Ochocinco, speaking in a recent interview, laid out a stark scenario for Watson’s future with the Browns. He posited that if the team starts the season with an 0-2 record, dropping their opening games against the Jaguars and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a change at quarterback is almost inevitable. “If you start off 0-2, they’re making a move,” Ochocinco stated. “They’re making a move before the season gets too far away from them.” He emphasized that the Browns must be at least 1-1 or, ideally, 2-0 heading into their home opener against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.
Ochocinco has been a vocal commentator on the Browns’ quarterback situation, frequently discussing it on his podcast, “Nightcap,” with Shannon Sharpe. He has consistently argued that there was never a genuine competition for the starting quarterback position, despite the presence of other players like Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel on the roster. “It was never a quarterback competition. It never was,” Ochocinco asserted. “At no point in any game is the $46 million man competing for a job and would lose to the younger player based on salary.” He believes that Watson’s significant contract guaranteed his starting role from the outset, making it his job to lose.
Fan Frustration and Watson’s Past Performance
The frustration from the Browns’ fanbase is understandable, according to Ochocinco. Since his high-profile trade from the Houston Texans, Watson has been a polarizing figure. He arrived with a massive, fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract but has played in only 19 games across three seasons due to injuries and an 11-game suspension in 2022. During this period, the Browns have compiled a 9-10 record, with Watson posting a 1-6 record in his starts in 2024.
His statistics in Cleveland paint a stark contrast to his earlier career. Watson has thrown 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, completing 61.2% of his passes for 3,365 yards, and holding a passer rating of 80.7. For comparison, during his four years with the Texans, where he earned three Pro Bowl selections and led the league with 4,823 passing yards in 2020, he maintained a much higher passer rating of 104.5.
“The fans are upset, the fans are booing because they have nothing to cheer for,” Ochocinco explained. “You haven’t given them anything to cheer for in general. So, the bad taste that’s left in their mouths are the issues that came with you from Houston on top of coming here to Cleveland. You’ve given them nothing to cheer for, therefore that’s why they’re gonna feel the way they feel.”
Winning as the Ultimate Cure
Despite the palpable tension and fan discontent, Ochocinco holds out hope that Watson can navigate the storm. He believes that strong performance and, crucially, winning are the only remedies for the current situation. “But one thing can happen: performing and winning cures all,” he said. “Listen, they come out the gate, somehow find a way to beat Jacksonville, find a way to beat Tampa, and you go into Cleveland the first home game 2-0. Man, they will cheer their a—off. You’re gonna hear cheering and eruptions of cheering for Deshaun that he’s never heard before. Honestly, I’m hoping he does.”
Ochocinco reiterated the power of victory: “Winning cures all. It doesn’t matter what you did. You’re the quarterback of their team. If you start out the gate 1-1 at best – 2-0 best scenario – they’re going to love you in Cleveland despite what you’ve done. They’ll love you because you’re winning – something they haven’t had consistently for a very long time.”
The Road Ahead for Watson and the Browns
The early schedule presents a formidable challenge for Watson and the Browns, with matchups against playoff contenders in Weeks 1 and 2. Ochocinco’s assessment underscores the critical nature of these opening games for Watson’s continued role as the starting quarterback, even at the dawn of a new season.
Ochocinco’s Excitement for Football Season and DraftKings Partnership
Beyond the Browns’ quarterback drama, Ochocinco expressed his general enthusiasm for the return of football, with college games already underway and the NFL season on the horizon. He is particularly excited about his collaboration with DraftKings and its initiatives aimed at enhancing the fan experience.
DraftKings Gameday, scheduled for September 2nd, is set to celebrate the first football season with DraftKings Sports & Casino available nationwide. As part of this celebration, DraftKings is offering free gas to passenger vehicles at select gas stations in Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, and Detroit, while supplies last. Specific locations and times will be announced later.
“For me, I think it’s fun because who else would do something like this outside of DraftKings,” Ochocinco remarked about the promotion. “This is a great touch for NFL fans to start the season. We’re giving you free gas, so when your respective team plays, you’re fueled up to go. And word of mouth will be, ‘You won’t believe this? You know what DraftKings did? I was able to save money and get tickets to go to a game because they paid for my gas.’ That makes sense.”
The company’s plans also include exclusive DraftKings Gameday promotions for customers, a personalized in-app experience, on-site activations, a charitable contribution through the DraftKings SERVES program, and a new advertising campaign featuring Kevin Hart and Nick Jonas.
“It’s all about the fan experience, so some of the offers and luxuries throughout the season is what sets us apart from everybody else. I’m happy to be a part of them,” Ochocinco concluded.
