The Cleveland Browns are one of the surprise teams in the NFL this season, and arguably the biggest. Entering Week 7, the Browns are in first place in the AFC North, a position they haven’t held this late in since the 2014 campaign.
Much of the credit goes to quarterback Deshaun Watson, who revived his career after almost two years on the sidelines. But a fair argument can be made that Watson could be the reason the Browns don’t reach their full potential this season.
ESPN insider Benjamin Solak said he believes the Browns are in a position to truly compete and that an upgrade at quarterback will make them even better.
“Cleveland Browns 4-2. They’re on top of the AFC North. I truly believe the Browns are one quarterback away from being a good team. I totally get that. What are we talking about being a quarterback on the road? Because Deshaun Watson had two completions at halftime of this game. The best game of the year was played against Deshaun Watson without question. The two games he played, the loss to the Ravens, Deshaun didn’t play well. I’m Todd Monken’s go-to player for young offensive players.
I agree with @minakimes preseason admission that the Browns are one QB away.
Love this defense (Carson Schwesinger is SO GOOOOOOD) and believe in the young offensive parts.
Discussed with @DanGrazianoESPN on the show today: pic.twitter.com/FTwoDcXxQd
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 19, 2026
To be fair, Watson did finish what mattered most, as he leads the NFL in fourth-quarter drives with four game-winning drives. On the other hand, if Watson had played better in the first three quarters of these games, the Browns wouldn’t have needed these heroics.
As Solak noted, in the Week 6 win against the Baltimore Ravens, Watson completed just two passes for 24 yards in the first half. Cleveland’s defense managed to keep the game close against Baltimore backup QB Tyler Huntley.
Then Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, playing on an injured ankle, forced a turnover by Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Watson went on to complete eight of 12 passes for 94 yards in the fourth quarter, and Cleveland emerged with a 13–10 victory on a final field goal.
But in a 17-12 loss to the New York Jets in Week 5, Watson couldn’t get the job done. It didn’t help that he was sacked eight times, including four in the fourth quarter, or that an errant fumble cost the Jets the game-winning shot.
According to Pro Football Focus, Watson ranks 30th out of 35 qualified quarterbacks in the class overall this season. In this era of the NFL, a top-ranked team with a quarterback game at this level is a true anomaly.
Barring injury, a position change isn’t likely this season, so the Browns will have to make do with Watson and continue to rely on their defense and coaching until it’s resolved next offseason.
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