Deshaun Watson just added to the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback dilemma. Despite being a “hit-and-miss” trade, the Browns cannot rid themselves of him easily.

Watson signed a guaranteed $230 million contract for five years and will stick around for the 2026 season. 

And now that he has fully recovered from two Achilles surgeries, Browns expert Mary Kay Cabot believes that he might clinch the starting position. She recently appeared on 92.3 The Fan's Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima and discussed the Browns’potemtial moves. 

“I would say right now the chances are around 40 percent. Both Todd Monken and Andrew Berry said they’re open to bringing in a QB from the outside. Right at the moment, he's right in the thick of it,” Cabot said.

With 262.1 yards per game, the Browns ranked 31st in scoring and 27th in rushing. One of the worst teams in the league, they ended the 2025 season with a 5-14 record and a sole advantage- two first-round draft picks. 

But the Browns need to strengthen other offensive positions, such as wide receivers and tackles. With other areas that need the management’s attention, Berry and Monken might resort to utilizing the existing quarterback call sheet.

But That Brings up Another Concern About the Quarterbacks

General manager Andrew Berry’s recent decisions regarding quarterbacks have not aged well. Watson was in-and-out for four years and played only 19 games after signing his notorious trade deal.

Meanwhile, the franchise traded Joe Flacco only to push the 2025 picks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel on the field. 

And both were underwhelming. Gabriel started in 10 games and scored only seven touchdowns for 937 yards before sustaining an injury. Sanders, who replaced him, threw seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions for 1,400 yards.

Compared to their performances, Watson, a veteran, has better scores. In the 19 games he has played, he threw 19 touchdowns for 3,365 yards. He was intercepted 12 times and was sacked 70 times. 

Even if he has a 40 percent chance to play, he still has to finish first against Sanders and Gabriel. But whether head coach Monken would pick him or anyone else is to be seen. What do you think of this development? 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das