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Browns set to make impactful decision on Deshaun Watson
The Cleveland Browns‘ quarterback competition could have some clarity in the very near future.
Cleveland enters the offseason with Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel under contract. Yet, the Browns could still look to find a franchise quarterback this offseason, but one thing that seems certain is that Watson will be on the roster in 2026.
Browns NFL insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic expects Cleveland to restructure Watson’s contract, ensuring he’ll be on the roster in 2026.
“The Browns will weigh all quarterback options before deciding whether to give Shedeur Sanders a chance to enter his second season as the starter,” Jackson wrote. “If they sign Willis or trade for Mac Jones, they’d be adding a clear-cut starter. In almost any other case, Sanders would be in the mix as the team heads toward the April start of the offseason program under Monken.
“At some point in the next two weeks, the Browns figure to restructure Deshaun Watson’s contract to free up around $40 million in cap space. That would ensure Watson, who hasn’t played since October 2024 because of a twice-torn right Achilles tendon, would be on the team for 2026, the final year of his deal.”
The Browns traded for Watson in 2022 as Cleveland took a big swing to acquire the Pro Bowl quarterback. However, the deal didn’t work out, but he still could earn the starting job in 2026 in the final year of his deal, as he’s guaranteed to be on the roster.
Watson hasn’t played since 2024 due to an Achilles tear.
Browns Considered a ‘Maybe’ to Add a Quarterback
Cleveland has Watson, Sanders, and Gabriel all under contract for 2026, so the team may not add a quarterback as expected.
Instead, Jackson believes the Browns will let the market come to them and considers them a ‘maybe’ to add a quarterback.
“We can figure the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins are looking for starting quarterbacks, but they might not be involved at the top of the market,” Jackson added. “We’re uncertain whether the Arizona Cardinals will move on from Kyler Murray. Among the teams in the “maybe” category are the Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Minnesota might just want a veteran mentor and fallback option for J.J. McCarthy. Or, the Vikings could clear some salary-cap space and try to keep Willis in the NFC North.”
If the Browns add a quarterback, Cleveland has been linked to free agent Malik Willis, as well as potential trades for Mac Jones and CJ Stroud.
Cleveland Owner Admits Watson Trade Was a Failure
The Browns took a big swing to acquire Watson, but the deal didn’t work out.
Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam admitted the trade was a failure.
“We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun,” Haslam said at the league’s annual meeting. “We thought we had the quarterback; we didn’t. And we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him, so we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.
“… (The trade) was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee (Haslam) and I, so hold us accountable.”
Despite Haslam saying the trade was a failure, Watson still could be the team’s starting quarterback in 2026.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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