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NFL insider Adam Schefter believes Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is telling the truth when he says Deshaun Watson could be the team’s Week 1 starter
The Cleveland Browns will once again be entering the 2026 campaign with a question mark at the quarterback position. While they could still add another player or two at this position ahead of the start of the new season, it’s looking like the depth chart will consist of Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson as of right now.
For the most part, Sanders is widely expected to be the Week 1 starter after he showed off his potential over the final few weeks of the 2025 season. However, Browns’ owner Jimmy Haslam made it clear that Watson could be a factor at the quarterback position in 2026, and NFL insider Adam Schefter believes Haslam is telling the truth here.
Adam Schefter Dishes on Jimmy Haslam’s Deshaun Watson Comments
More about Browns owner Jimmy Haslam telling reporters that Deshaun Watson has a “great chance” to be Cleveland’s starting quarterback this season, with @DanStanczyk:
The reason why the Browns took a pair of swings in the 2025 NFL Draft on Gabriel and Sanders was that their huge swing for Watson had blown up in spectacular fashion. For the most part, the belief was that Watson’s time with Cleveland was essentially over, but it sounds like the team isn’t willing to give up on him just yet.
For those who need a reminder, Cleveland gave up three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks in exchange for Watson and a sixth-round pick. The Browns promptly signed Watson to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract, only for him to play in 19 total games over the past four seasons.
Unless Watson somehow leads Cleveland to a Super Bowl in 2026, this is likely going to be remembered as one of the worst moves in NFL history. The book may not be closed on Watson’s tenure with the Browns, though, as Haslam made it clear he will have a shot at earning the starting quarterback job. And while some folks think Haslam is simply trying to drum up media attention, Schefter believes he’s telling the truth.
“When the owner says there’s a great chance, I believe that,” Schefter said on “The Adam Schefter Podcast.” “Nobody has talked about Deshaun Watson. Nobody has forecasted him to be a part of the recipe, to be the Browns’ starting quarterback. And here we are.”
Should Deshaun Watson Be the Browns’ Week 1 Starting Quarterback?
GettyDeshaun Watson will battle Shedeur Sanders for the Cleveland Browns quarterback role
The other part of the problem with Watson’s tenure with the Browns is that, when he’s been on the field, he’s been awful. In 19 games, Watson has thrown for just 3,365 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also tossing 12 interceptions. He also hasn’t made a major impact on the ground as a runner, as he has just 465 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries.
With neither Sanders nor Gabriel doing much to solidify their standing as the team’s quarterback of the future, though, the Browns don’t have anything to lose by giving Watson a longer look during training camp. Expectations should certainly be tempered, but Watson being a factor in the Browns’ quarterback competition could add another wrinkle to the front office’s plans for the remainder of the offseason.
Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli
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