Ryan Fitzpatrick predicts Browns’ Deshaun Watson will ‘fail,’ be benched for Shedeur Sanders
NFL analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick did not hold back in his forecast for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The Cleveland Browns salvaged a victory in the preseason after crushing the New England Patriots, 37-13, at Huntington Bank Field on Thursday. The Browns dropped their assignments against the Chicago Bears and the Buffalo Bills.
Dillon Gabriel starred against the Patriots, throwing 12-of-15 for 186 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
Gabriel made the most of his time, with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders sitting out after suiting up versus the Bears and the Bills. Coach Todd Monken has already installed Watson as the starter.
On the latest episode of his podcast, NFL analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick sang praises for Watson. But during the game between the Browns and the Patriots, it sounded like Fitzpatrick changed his tune.
“Once (Watson) fails, Shedeur is going to jump into this thing, and he’s going to be the guy, and this city is going to be behind him,” said Fitzpatrick, as shared by Awful Announcing on X.
“You think he’ll fail?” asked NFL commentator Kirk Herbstreit.
“Yeah, it’s gonna happen,” replied Fitzpatrick, who played 17 years in the NFL.
Ryan Fitzpatrick: “Once [Deshaun Watson] fails, Shedeur (Sanders) is going to jump into this thing, and he’s going to be the guy. And this city is going to be behind him.”
Kirk Herbstreit: “You think he’ll fail?”
Fitzpatrick: “Yeah. It’s gonna happen.” pic.twitter.com/UjlgGpDXrG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 28, 2026
Watson is looking for redemption after being sidelined last season by an Achilles injury. He has been embroiled in off-field issues as well, damaging his reputation as a leader. But with Monken giving him the keys, at least in the early weeks, the three-time Pro Bowler has a good opportunity.
Sanders, meanwhile, is hoping to build on his promising stint in his rookie year. In eight games, including seven starts, he threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Many felt that Sanders would get the nod as the main signal-caller, but Watson did enough to impress Monken in training camp.
Watson is in the final year of his five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns.
The Cleveland Browns salvaged a victory in the preseason after crushing the New England Patriots, 37-13, at Huntington Bank Field on Thursday. The Browns dropped their assignments against the Chicago Bears and the Buffalo Bills. Dillon Gabriel starred against the Patriots, throwing 12-of-15 for 186 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions.