It’s been a lost season for the Cleveland Browns, and especially for Deshaun Watson, who’s twice ruptured Achilles tendon has kept him off the field all year long. Recently when asked whether the $230 million quarterback could make an appearance for the 2-7 Browns, head coach Kevin Stefanski was entirely noncommittal. But that was for this season, but what about next?
Watson will be headed into the final season of his five-year, $230 million contract in Cleveland. For now, only Watson, third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel, and fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders are on Cleveland’s roster. Another QB could be added to the mix, but that doesn’t mean the Browns are certain to part with Watson.
In fact, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes there’s at least “a chance” that the Browns bring Watson back in 2026, for what would surely be his final season in Cleveland, barring an unexpected twist.
“The Browns have two first-round picks as a product of their draft-day trade with the Jaguars, and they might need only one of them to land the quarterback they prefer in next year’s draft. While coach Kevin Stefanski all but acknowledged that the Browns have no intention of bringing back Deshaun Watson this season, there’s also a chance that the organization could decide to bring its disastrous acquisition back into the fold in 2026, which will be the final season of his contract. Gabriel should be on the roster next season, but it probably won’t be as the starter.”
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell on Deshaun Watson
We can’t imagine another team being in a rush to try prying Watson away from the Browns this offseason. That could essentially mean they’re stuck with him for one more year.
That is, unless Cleveland is willing to just cut him from the team, but his $46 million salary is already fully guaranted. At that point, why not roster him? Of course, these decisions could be in the hands of another general manager if the Browns do switch things up after another season without a playoff appearance under Andrew Berry and coach Stefanski.
