Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Bryce Young

Monday, January 5, 12:55 PM

The Cleveland Browns currently expect quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) to be on the team next year, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "I can never predict the future, but right now we do anticipate him being on the 2026 team," general manager Andrew Berry said about Watson's status. Watson tore his right Achilles tendon in October of 2024 and re-ruptured the tendon and required a second surgery on Jan. 9 of 2025. The 30-year-old veteran stayed on the Physically Unable to Perform list all season, but if he can return to full health this year, he's expected to compete for the starting QB job this summer with Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Watson will be entering the final year of his five-year, $230 million deal in 2026. He'll be a huge question mark going into next season, but despite the investment the Browns still have in him, he's not guaranteed to win the starting job.

Thursday, January 8, 12:57 PM

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young had a decent showing in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, going 24-for-35 passing for 266 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. It was a nice bounce-back performance after he threw for just 54 yards in the Week 17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The 24-year-old's 266 passing yards were his third-highest total of the year. He'll get a rematch with the Los Angeles Rams on Wild-Card weekend, after upsetting them in Week 13. Young went 15-for-20 that day for 206 yards and a season-high three touchdowns. Can he repeat the feat this Saturday? It's going to be difficult against a Rams defense that allowed the 10th-fewest points per game, although they were around the middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed per game to QBs. Young averaged only 15.4 fantasy points per game in 2025, placing him as the QB27. His upside isn't great going into Saturday's Wild-Card matchup.