Deshaun Watson’s start to the 2026 season has come with better play, a 3-1 Browns opening, and now a fine for one of the league’s less subtle reminders about the rules.
The NFL hit Watson with a $14,926 penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct after cameras showed him and teammate Quinshon Judkins pretending to smoke during last Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The league described it as an illegal celebration and a vulgar act. Judkins was also fined, taking a $14,397 hit for his part in the exchange.
The moment came right after a touchdown, and Prime Video cameras caught the quick celebration before the league handed down the punishment ahead of Cleveland’s Week 5 matchup with the New York Jets. Neither player has said whether they will appeal.
On the field, Watson has given the Browns plenty more to feel good about. He arrived in the 2026 campaign under pressure to show he could still be a difference-maker, and through four games he has completed 69.6% of his passes for 855 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. His play has helped Cleveland move to 3-1, and it has also reopened a bigger question about what comes next.
According to Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns could consider re-signing Watson if he keeps performing at this level. That gives him something real to play for beyond just the standings.
For now, though, the fine is the headline off the field, and Sunday’s game against the Jets is the next chance for Watson to keep his momentum rolling and help Cleveland protect its strong start.
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Bearcats Gave Fans Plenty To Love And One Clear Concern
A preseason exhibition rarely gives a program much more than a few hints, but Cincinnati got a useful one at the Lindner Tennis Center in Mason when it knocked off Ohio State 79-68. The Bearcats showed they could control the glass and create extra possessions, outrebounding the Buckeyes 45-35 while piling up nine steals, and Tyler Tejadas 17 points helped steady an offense that needed time to find its rhythm.
What made the afternoon even more encouraging was the scoring punch Cincinnati found in reserve. Tylen Riley led both teams with 23 points after coming off the bench, giving the Bearcats a dynamic option they can lean on as the games start to count. The one area Jerrod Calhoun seemed least pleased with afterward was the whistle, with the coach unhappy about how many free throws Ohio State was able to get, a concern worth watching as the competition level rises. [Read more 🡒]
Bearcats Showed Something Real In Rally Past Ohio State
The outdoor exhibition at Ohio State gave Cincinnati a useful early measuring stick, and the Bearcats passed it with authority in a 79-68 win that looked more convincing as it went along. After a sluggish start, Cincinnati flipped the script in the second half, using a strong defensive edge on the glass and enough efficient offense to take control against a Buckeyes team that never found a steady rhythm.
What stood out most for the Bearcats was how they answered a bad stretch without losing their poise. Cincinnati outboarded Ohio State 45-35 and shot 48% overall, while the Buckeyes were stuck battling a cold perimeter night, hitting only 4 of 23 from three-point range. For a team still shaping its identity, it was the kind of road-like result that can matter beyond October, even if the exhibition setting leaves plenty still to sort out. [Read more 🡒]