Oct 1, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) reacts against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Huntington Bank Field. © Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Through four games, it was hard to imagine the Cleveland Browns being at the top of the AFC North with a 3-1 record. But that has become a reality with some solid quarterback play from Deshaun Watson.
Leading crucial go-ahead drives in three straight games, he has repaid the faith new head coach Todd Monken showed in him by naming him QB1 before the year. But given his history, fans are not exactly on board with the idea of him having a case for the Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Fans Firmly Against Idea of Deshaun Watson Winning Comeback Player of the Year
After missing the entire 2025 season, Watson competed for the QB1 spot throughout the offseason. He finally earned the role, and after a disappointing Week 1 outing, he’s turned it up a notch.
Currently ranked at number 19 in PFN’s Quarterback Impact Metric, he is above several established names such as Jordan Love, Bo Nix, and Drake Maye. As a result, there has been some speculation about his chances of winning Comeback Player of the Year.
“Gonna die laughing when the NFL has to give Deshaun Watson the Comeback Player of the Year award,” one fan joked in disbelief at the wild turnaround in a matter of weeks.
As a result, one fan remarked, “Deshaun Watson is gonna win Comeback Player of the Year and that stinks.”
However, others were less certain about the distinction, given the competition for the award. With Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes both injured last year, it was always going to be a competitive field for the award.
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“Saw people talking about Deshaun Watson as Comeback Player of the Year. Even if you thought that was deserved, there’s roughly 0% chance he’d win the award,” one fan argued. “The voters are not clicking Watson. Especially when one of their favorites, Patrick Mahomes, is on the board.”
Another fan was in a similar bucket, claiming, “The voters will never vote Deshaun Watson as Comeback Player of the Year. Bet your money elsewhere.”
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However, for some, it would be an indictment on the league if the three-time Pro Bowler took home the distinction, as one fan wrote, “If Deshaun Watson wins Comeback Player of the Year, they should discontinue the award. There would be no coming back from that.”
Less than a month into the season, plenty can change.
But Watson’s strong start after missing all of 2025 has at least put his name into the early Comeback Player of the Year conversation, even as the possibility has drawn considerable backlash.
Watson will have another opportunity to make a case for himself when the Browns take on the New York Jets in Week 5.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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