The Cleveland Browns’ opening drive of the 2026 season ends with a mistake from quarterback Deshaun Watson. On the first drive, Watson throws an interception on a play that gives the opposing team an immediate opportunity. Trevor Lawrence then connects with an early touchdown pass, putting Cleveland behind early.
Additional reporting says Watson’s issues continue beyond that first turnover. One outlet notes that he fumbles two possessions later, extending the struggles for Cleveland in the early part of the game. Another source highlights that the interception occurs on Watson’s first drive of the season and frames it as a sign of concern for critics of the Browns’ quarterback decision.
Across the accounts, the common elements are the timing of the interception (on Cleveland’s opening drive) and the Browns’ early deficit as the result of Lawrence’s response, with one report adding a later fumble as part of the rough start.
