Former NFL receiver Chad Ochocinco believes Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will have a "very short" leash in the upcoming 2026 season. He suggests that a lack of success in the first two weeks could prompt a change at the position.
Watson is set to start Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a decision that has drawn discussion among football fans, particularly given Watson's performance and contract status with the Browns. Fans booed Watson during a home preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, an event he described as "disrespectful" and "personal."
Ochocinco, speaking in an interview with OutKick, stated that if the Browns begin the season with an 0-2 record, a move at quarterback is likely. "If you start off 0-2, they’re making a move. They’re making a move before the season gets too far away from them," Ochocinco said. He emphasized that Watson would need to guide the team to at least a 1-1 or ideally a 2-0 record through the initial games against the Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to avoid scrutiny.
"It was never a quarterback competition. It never was," Ochocinco noted on his "Nightcap" podcast with Shannon Sharpe, referring to the Browns' depth chart which included Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. "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. As an owner and person writing the check, Deshaun Watson was always going to be the starting quarterback no matter what. Now, it’s his job to lose now going forward, and his leash is going to be very short."
Since his trade to Cleveland and subsequent $230 million contract, Watson has started only 19 games across three seasons, with injuries and an 11-game suspension impacting his availability. The team's record in those starts is 9-10, including a 1-6 record in 2024. In his tenure with the Browns, Watson has thrown 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, with a 61.2% completion rate for 3,365 yards and an 80.7 passer rating. This contrasts with his performance with the Houston Texans, where he earned three Pro Bowls and led the league with 4,823 passing yards in 2020, achieving a 104.5 passer rating.
Ochocinco understands the fans' frustration, attributing the boos to a lack of on-field success and the lingering issues from Watson's past. "The fans are upset, the fans are booing because they have nothing to cheer for," he said. "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."
Despite the pressure, Ochocinco believes that performance can overcome fan sentiment. "But one thing can happen: performing and winning cures all," he stated. "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 also discussed his partnership with DraftKings, promoting the "DraftKings Gameday" event on September 2, which celebrates the availability of DraftKings Sports & Casino in all 50 states. The promotion includes offering free gas to fans at select stations in Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, and Detroit.
"For me, I think it’s fun because who else would do something like this outside of DraftKings. This is a great touch for NFL fans to start the season," Ochocinco said. "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 initiative also includes exclusive DraftKings promotions and a new campaign featuring Kevin Hart and Nick Jonas.