Ralph Vacchiano· Oct 2, 2026
After Cleveland's 27-24 win over Pittsburgh, Vacchiano argued Deshaun Watson has secured the Browns' starting quarterback job for now, pushing any Shedeur Sanders audition aside, while also predicting Cleveland will not bring Watson back next season once his fully guaranteed contract expires. He also judged Aaron Rodgers no longer capable of consistent downfield play, though he framed Cleveland's playoff chances only in hedged terms.
“It's hard to imagine the Browns would bring Watson back next year under any circumstances once his fully guaranteed $230 million albatross of a contract finally expires.”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 1 depth chart call and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
Deshaun Watson · 2026 season74 calls from 42 pundits between 1 and 2. Ralph Vacchiano said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
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Who this take is about
2 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“any thoughts Monken might have had about giving a shot to second-year pro Shedeur Sanders have to be on the back burner now... For now, Watson is giving Cleveland everything it needs.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsDeshaun WatsonOct 2, 2026
Deshaun Watson to move — “not brought back by the Browns next year once his contract expires”
“It's hard to imagine the Browns would bring Watson back next year under any circumstances once his fully guaranteed $230 million albatross of a contract finally expires.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Rich EisenTrade and Signing Calls · Myles GarrettHit · 100Discussing Myles Garrett's trade request, Eisen said he expects Garrett to get his way and be moved out of Cleveland rather than stay, which is why staying would be shocking.
- Doug JoubertScore Predictions · Cleveland BrownsMiss · 26Joubert picks the Browns to win 28-17, saying the Saints haven't improved over the first half of the season despite Cleveland starting Shedeur Sanders.
- Pat McAfeeGame Outcome Picks · Cleveland BrownsMiss · 0McAfee picked the Browns, with Shedeur Sanders starting, to beat the Saints in New Orleans.
- Michael MooreDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersHit · 100In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. He also expects Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback.
- Zachary PerelesDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersHit · 100Pereles writes that if Deshaun Watson can't clear concussion protocol in time, the Browns would likely turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to start Week 9 against the Saints.
- Mitchell EisensteinGame Outcome Picks · Cleveland BrownsMiss · 0Mitchell gave his Week 9 top-five power rankings, keeping Buffalo first and the 49ers second while elevating the Bears, Jaguars and Lions, and picked a slate of Week 9 games including a Packers win in New England, a Panthers upset of Denver, and blowouts for Detroit, Kansas City and Houston. He also tabbed Jonah Coleman as a late-season Offensive Rookie of the Year pick.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Jeremy BrenerDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockHit · 100Brener picked the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in Week 9 by a multi-score margin, giving a final score of 27-13, and expressed confidence Seattle would be fine with Drew Lock starting at quarterback.
- Jeremy BrenerDepth Chart Calls · Jalen MilroeMiss · 0Brener suggests Seattle may turn to rookie-contract quarterback Jalen Milroe for his first career start in Week 9 against the Cardinals, with Sam Darnold ruled out and Drew Lock dealing with an elbow injury.
- Nic BodifordDepth Chart Calls · Joe FagnanoHit · 100Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. He also views Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Carson BeckMiss · 0Podell argues the Cardinals have maxed out with Jacoby Brissett and that rookie Carson Beck should be ramped up to replace him as starter, targeting Week 8 at Dallas for Beck's regular-season debut.
- Jacob HerlinDepth Chart Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Herlin published Week 7 fantasy D/ST rankings with projections for 28 team defenses, led by Houston, Minnesota and Cleveland. He also expects Cleveland to post a fourth straight top-10 fantasy defense result, and predicts Jalon Daniels starts another week for Tampa Bay while J.J. McCarthy takes over as the Giants' starter.
- Donnie DruinDepth Chart Calls · Jacoby BrissettHit · 100Following the Cardinals' decision not to make staff or lineup changes, Druin states that Jacoby Brissett will remain Arizona's starting quarterback for another week, with rookie Carson Beck staying behind him.