NFL Insider Jason La Canfora: Deshaun Watson demonstrates “good enough” performance in Browns’ preseason opener

The Chicago Bears opened their 2026 preseason with a convincing win against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on Saturday.

While the Bears celebrated their victory, the biggest development for the Browns was Deshaun Watson’s return to game action.

The award-winning NFL reporter, insider and analyst, Jason La Canfora, spoke about the recent game.

"Deshaun Watson wasn’t great over the weekend against the Chicago Bears, but he was good. He was good enough," La Canfora said in an exclusive interview.

The NFL insider added that Watson "made the layups, the easy passes he’s supposed to make."

According to La Canfora, Watson demonstrated pretty good decision-making as well.

"He’s not as adept escaping anymore. He doesn’t trust his legs as much as he used to. Some of the pocket presence when he holds the ball in the pocket, it’s problematic," La Canfora explained further.

However, the football insider acknowledged that while the pocket presence for Watson is somewhat problematic, for Dylan Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders it is "even more problematic."

"And Watson led a scoring drive, like Watson was more good than bad. Watson splayed the ball, splayed it around, was a point guard. That’s what you’re going to get. He’s not going to push the ball downfield," La Canfora added.

Last but not least, the NFL expert outlined that while Watson’s ability to create explosive plays, whether by running, keeping the ball or throwing it, isn’t what it once was, he will still have to "go out there and earn his paycheck."

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