CLEVELAND — Everything is new again.

The Cleveland Browns will begin the Todd Monken era Sunday afternoon against the defending AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium.

Well, almost everything is new.

Deshaun Watson will return as Cleveland’s starting quarterback for the first time since rupturing his Achilles tendon on October 20, 2024. His return will dominate the conversation regardless of how much the Browns would prefer to begin this season with a clean slate.

If there is an ideal opponent for Watson, it might be Jacksonville. He is 7-0 against the Jaguars, completing 63.8 percent of his passes for 1,661 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Jacksonville is the only team Watson has faced multiple times without losing.

The Browns will need that history to continue against a Jaguars team seeking consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 1998-99.

Jacksonville returns most of the roster that won the AFC South last season, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence and receivers Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington. Two-way weapon Travis Hunter will also have a role after Jacksonville acquired the second pick in the 2025 NFL Draft from Cleveland to select him.

That trade helped stock Cleveland’s rebuild. The Browns used the return to acquire defensive tackle Mason Graham, running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson and receiver KC Concepcion. Graham, Judkins and Concepcion will enter Week 1 as starters.

The Browns have plenty of new pieces. Sunday provides the first opportunity to see whether they fit together.

Players to Watch

• Deshaun Watson — Watson hasn’t started a regular-season game in nearly two years. His undefeated record against Jacksonville is encouraging, but nobody knows how he will respond after such a long absence. Cleveland’s offense cannot develop until the Browns determine what remains of the quarterback they guaranteed $230 million.
• Quinshon Judkins — A reliable running game would remove pressure from Watson and make Monken’s offense considerably easier to operate. Judkins enters the season as a starter and will receive an immediate opportunity to prove he can become the foundation of Cleveland’s backfield.
• Denzel Ward — Jacksonville has enough receiving talent to punish mistakes in the secondary. Ward and former Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell will be responsible for containing Thomas, Meyers and Washington while remaining alert whenever Jacksonville puts Hunter on offense.

Game Information

Notes

• Cleveland has won the last three meetings between the teams.
• Watson is 7-0 in his career against Jacksonville.
• The Jaguars are 4-0 against AFC North opponents in season openers.
• Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has caught four touchdown passes in his last five games.
• Cleveland guard Teven Jenkins has been ruled out, while center Parker Brailsford is questionable.
• EverBank Stadium will operate at a reduced capacity of approximately 45,000 during its $1.4 billion renovation.

Prediction

Jacksonville offers stability and answers, whereas Cleveland does not.

The Browns are breaking in a new coaching staff, new systems and several young starters while asking Watson to play his first meaningful football in almost two years. Perhaps his history against Jacksonville will continue, but expecting everything to work immediately feels overly optimistic.

Cleveland’s defense should keep the game respectable, but Lawrence and Jacksonville’s receiving corps will eventually create enough plays to pull away.

The rebuild may produce encouraging signs Sunday, but It probably won’t produce a victory.

Final Score: Jacksonville 20, Cleveland 9