The Deshaun Watson era has not gone in accordance with plan in Cleveland, to say the very least. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has gone so far as publicly calling the Watson acquisition a “big swing-and-miss.”
During his latest media appearance, nevertheless, Haslam struck a distinct tone regarding the team’s quarterback situation. Haslam spoke with reporters on the league meeting, leaving the door open to Watson returning to the QB1 gig for 2026. Having healed from two Achilles tears, the previous Texans Pro Bowler is positioned to compete with Shedeur Sanders for the starting spot.
“Deshaun has an awesome probability, fresh start, offensive-minded coach, who has in his past been capable of work with all types of various quarterbacks and make them successful,” Haslam said (via ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi). “So, Deshaun has an awesome probability to do this now. We talked to him the opposite day, he said he weighs the [least] he has in several years… Let’s see what Deshaun can do. We’re all excited.”
Earlier this month, the Browns continued their annual tradition of restructuring Watson’s fully guaranteed contract. The 30-year-old’s cap hit for this season was reduced over again because of this, but a dead money charge of $86.2MM looms. Cleveland is in position to make Watson a post-June 1 release next spring, spreading that cash out across the 2027 and ’28 seasons. Within the meantime, he’ll look to post a healthy campaign and at the least provide some value to the Browns.
As a consequence of injuries and the non-public conduct suspension which began his Browns tenure, Watson has only played 19 games along with his second profession team. That figure could increase depending on how things play out in training camp. Sanders took over the QB1 role late in his rookie season, and he and fellow 2025 draftee Dillon Gabriel are on the roster at this point. One other passer could possibly be added during April’s draft, something which could leave Cleveland with a logjam under center for the second summer in a row.
Across the board, Watson’s production in Cleveland has fallen well wanting his peak years in Houston. The previous first-rounder is not going to be expected to return to his previous form in 2026 provided he finds himself on the sphere, given his missed time and struggles to this point as a member of the Browns. Nevertheless, the potential for a return to starting duties shall be something to watch through the summer.