Concerning News for Deshaun Watson as NFL Insider Makes Major Revelation
It was supposed to be open season for the QB spot in Cleveland. However, according to one insider, it's not the best news for Deshaun Watson, as he may get his chance as QB1, but not beyond than this year.
While the Cleveland Browns' owner, Jimmy Haslam, has said that Deshaun Watson has a great chance of becoming the first-string QB, an NFL insider for The Athletic, Zac Jackson, has an opposing view.
“My own translation of Haslam saying Watson has a ‘great chance’ is that he means Watson has earned the chance to return to football, compete again, and maybe reboot his career for 2027 and beyond,” said Jackson.
via Imago
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 13: Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson 4l drops back to pass during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cleveland Browns on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA OCT 13 Browns at Eagles EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon241013014
He further added, “The chances of Watson being with the Browns past this season are extremely low - and the level at which he would have to play to even be the best option for a rebuilding 2026 Browns team is a level he’s rarely performed at since 2020.”
Watson arrived in Cleveland in 2022 as part of a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans, where the Browns gave up five draft picks, three of them being first-rounders. The Browns also signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
The trade has not proven worthwhile for the Browns or Watson. The quarterback has only played 19 games for the Cleveland outfit.
That's because Watson has been riddled with injuries, right from torn ACLs, but more recently in 2025, when he re-tore his Achilles tendon during rehab. Watson last played a game of football in 2024.
Watson will enter his eighth NFL season and has almost 18,000 passing yards and 123 passing touchdowns. However, this could be his final year with Cleveland, given that they have two sophomore quarterbacks in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Who Has the Edge of Being the Starting Quarterback at the Cleveland Browns?
Gabriel and Sanders both played for the Browns last season. Sanders took over the role after Gabriel suffered a concussion.
However, as per Zac Jackson, Shedeur Sanders is the current favorite to start at Huntington Bank Field.
“I wholeheartedly believe there’s excitement for Watson getting healthy and trying to come back from his injuries and previous in Cleveland,” said Jackson.
He further added, “But I feel stronger than ever that Sanders, not Watson, is the favorite to win the starting job.”
Shedeur Sanders played eight games last season and threw the football for 1,400 yards and had seven touchdowns. He was also named a Pro Bowler in his rookie season.
