NFL, American Football Herren, USA New York Giants at Cleveland Browns Sep 22, 2024 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson 4 after the game against the New York Giants at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xScottxGalvinx 20240922_sns_bg7_00312

Jun 1, 2026, 4:27 AM CUT

Deshaun Watson Contract Hopes Dashed as NFL Insider Makes Major Claim

Deshaun Watson’s return on the field in his final year with the Cleveland Browns raised two pressing questions. While the one about the starting quarterback would answer itself eventually, an insider tipped off on whether the Browns and Watson would work again.

“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?” Jason Lloyd said.

The Athletic’s writer made this stance known during his appearance on the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show on May 29.

Lloyd’s harsh take summarizes the roller coaster journey Watson has had with the Browns. The 30-year-old was at the top of his game in 2020 as the Houston Texans’ star quarterback. His 4,823 passing yards and 33-touchdown performance gained him a guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.

Watson signed a hefty and one of the most well-known contracts in the NFL. For Watson, the Browns traded away 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.

However, Watson’s performances tanked in his new franchise. From 2022 to 2024, he played in just 19 games. He amassed 3,365 passing yards and threw 19 passing touchdowns.

His season halted when he sustained an injury to his right Achilles tendon in October 2024. Watson has been cleared to play this offseason. Watson's future with the franchise remains uncertain, especially given the heavy criticism of his contributions.

Deshaun Watson Ranked At The Bottom For His Performance

In his article for SB Nation, writer Jarrett Bailey set out to build the worst NFL team, and he picked the Cleveland Browns’ quarterbacks.

“What an interesting bunch of apples the Browns’ quarterback room is…Since 2022, amongst 77 quarterbacks to play 200 snaps, Deshaun Watson ranks 69th in success rate,” he wrote on May 26.

At present, the Browns are witnessing a competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson for the QB1 position. The franchise, also dubbed a ‘graveyard of quarterbacks,’ is vying for a winning quarterback after consistently poor records.

The Browns went 3-14 in 2024 and 5-12 in the last season.

Watson is the veteran on their present 4-QB roster. His return this year is a significant one as spectators await how this season turns out. What are your thoughts?

Written by

Akanksha Biradar