Entering training camp and preseason action, the Cleveland Browns seem to have a wide open quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders.

Throughout the course of the 2026 NFL offseason, Watson has become a popular topic of discussion. Some believe that he will win the starting job and potentially remain with the Browns past the 2026 season. Others want to see Sanders get the job.

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Only time will tell what head coach Todd Monkey and the Cleveland coaching staff decides to do under center, but Watson is firmly in the mix.

While there has been some speculation about Watson being an option for the Browns past this season, one team insider isn’t having it.

Jason Lloyd of The Athletic fired back aggressively against the idea of Watson being retained in the future. He doesn’t seem why the team would make that decision.

“I’ll go back to what I said before. I don’t see a world where I would want him back on this team. I think he should be gone already. I don’t see a world where you possibly want him back on this team after this year. How are you possibly going to hand him another contract?” Lloyd said.

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It’s a blunt take from Lloyd to be sure, but it’s a take that many fans would agree with.

Of course, Cleveland pulled off a massive blockbuster trade to acquire Watson from the Houston Texans. The trade has already gone down as one of the worst in NFL history.

In order to acquire Watson from the Texans, the Browns gave up a 2022 first-round pick, a 2023 first-round, and a 2024 first-round pick, along with a 2023 third-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick.

Since joining the Cleveland franchise, Watson hasn’t been able to stay on the field. He has only played in 19 games across three seasons, completing 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Watson has also picked up 465 yards and scored three touchdowns on the ground.

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At the end of the day, there are not many positives to take away from Watson’s tenure with the Browns. The team could choose to re-sign him at the end of his deal, but there would be a lot of fans unhappy if they made that decision.