Deshaun Watson has been urged to step away from football if he does not win the starting job with the Cleveland Browns this season.

Watson landed in Cleveland back in 2022 via a blockbuster trade. The Browns were hoping he could be their long-sought-after solution under center. However, it’s proven to be a major “swing and miss” for the Browns, with Watson missing significant time with injuries and a lengthy suspension stemming from his off-field troubles.

Watson missed all of last season recovering from two Achilles surgeries. He’s expected to be fully healthy when the team begins gearing up for next season. Watson will be in the mix to start, along with Shedeur Sanders, but the Browns could also add another passer.

Smith on Browns QB Deshaun Watson: ‘It’s Over’

If he doesn’t come out of the quarterback battle as the starter, noted ESPN talking head Stephen A. Smith believes it’s time for Watson to hang up his cleats.

“I’m going to bring up the name Deshaun Watson for this reason. When I see some of these stats for a guy who got $230 million guaranteed — 19 starts in four years, a 9-10 record, 61% completions, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions,” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take. “My God, how awful can you be. There’s nowhere to go but up and Deshaun Watson is still getting paid.

“On national TV, I want to tell Deshaun Watson this: Considering Cleveland’s situation, combined with the money you’re still owed, if you cannot win the starting job in Cleveland this year, you need to retire. It’s over. You need to retire.”

The Browns have said that, as it stands, it’s going to be an open competition for the starting quarterback role.

“Sure, I think it’s an open competition,” Browns coach Todd Monken said at the combine. “I mean, I don’t why it wouldn’t be an open competition. I don’t mean that saying it harshly, but I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years one way or the other to say, boy, we have our starter at quarterback yet. Whether internally or externally.”

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders in ‘Better Situation’ Under Todd Monken

Sanders is the other quarterback on the Browns roster who will have a shot at starting next season. He had a turbulent rookie season and fell to the fifth round in the draft. He ended up starting seven games. Sanders went 3-4 in his starts, passing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

“I think what you see is elite playmaking ability. That’s in him,” Monken said. “You’ve seen it. We’ve seen it. You saw it in college. You saw it on tape last year. Sure, there’s a ways to go. But what rookie isn’t, I mean, what first year player doesn’t have a long way to go? So, I’m excited to get started with him and all of our quarterbacks and all of our players.”

Smith highlighted that having Monken in place is a benefit for Shedeur Sanders.

“If you have those numbers and a new coach comes in and says he’s seen elite skill level traits within you, he’s giving you the benefit of the doubt. Which is a plus and better than what Shedeur Sanders had last year,” Smith said. “Kevin Stefanski and his staff seemed very reluctant to bring him on board. When they brought him on board, they seemed very reluctant to give him an opportunity. When they gave him an opportunity, they seemed reluctant to let him shine. Bottom line, this is a better situation for Shedeur Sanders. We wish him luck and he has a lot to prove.”

The Browns will likely get more clarity on their quarterback depth when free agency opens in March.