The Cleveland Browns plan to keep quarterback Deshaun Watson on the team’s 2026 roster instead of cutting him during the offseason, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Per Schefter, Watson is still unlikely to play in 2025 as he recovers from Achilles surgery that he underwent on Jan. 10.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also reported that the 30-year-old will have an “opportunity” to compete for Cleveland’s starting quarterback position next season.
The Browns designated Watson for return to practice Wednesday.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski also provided an update on the three-time Pro Bowler.
“He’ll be out there today, which is outstanding for Deshaun,” Stefanski said, per the team’s official website. “He’s has been working so hard, rehabbing, so finally to get out there on the practice field with his teammates to go through individual, I think this is really great for him. So, excited for him. His focus, my focus is obviously getting him back to playing football, practicing football, which he hasn’t done in over a year. So, it’s a good next step for him.”
Watson appeared in seven games with the Browns in 2024, completing 63.4 percent of his throws for 1,148 yards and six touchdowns compared to three interceptions. He also rushed for 148 yards and one score.
Cleveland owned a 1-6 record in his seven starts.
Releasing Watson would be tricky financially, as he’s still playing on a hefty five-year deal worth $230 million that he signed with Cleveland in 2022.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted that the Browns restructured the quarterback’s contract in Dec. 2024 in a way that spreads that cap hit at the end of his agreement. Watson is due $46 million cash in 2026 with a scheduled cap number of roughly $80.7 million, while another $50.4 million in dead cap will hit in 2027.
If Cleveland chooses to cut the signal-caller before June 2026, his entire dead cap charge of just over $130 million would affect the team’s 2026 cap (via Pelissero).
While Browns rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are set to battle for starting quarterback duties next season, it seems as though Watson will be in the mix as well.