The Cleveland Browns quarterback, Deshaun Watson, has entered the final year of his contract with the Browns. He’s now back in the camp after his Achilles injury in 2024 and fighting for the starting quarterback job against Shedeur Sanders. 

While the Browns have allowed Watson a chance to become their QB1 once again, it comes with a reminder that if he plays poorly, he may miss out on future opportunities in the NFL. A PFF report categorized him as one of the 10 players with the most at stake in 2026. 

“With Watson’s infamous five-year, $230 million contract set to expire at the end of 2026, his results this year are critical,” wrote Bradley Locker of PFF. “If Watson doesn’t prevail and/or retain the job over Sanders, or if he’s woeful again, it will bode poorly for the rest of his pro career. After all, the soon-to-be 31-year-old hasn’t played like a consistently plus starter in nearly six years.”

Locker further added that Watson has only disappointed the Browns after they had a blockbuster trade to bring him in. In his three seasons (2022-2024), playing 19 games before his Achilles injury, Watson ranked 41st out of 48 qualified quarterbacks and earned a 60.7 PFF passing grade. 

The Browns faced another setback when Watson missed all of 2025 recovering from a torn Achilles injury in 2024. The new head coach, Todd Monken, also didn’t make any drastic changes to the quarterback room.

Watson’s performance hasn’t lived up to the $230 million the Browns invested in gaining an elite quarterback. The former QB of the Clemson Tigers and Houston Texans was considered among the best until things went down for him upon arriving in Cleveland.

Watson has got the final chance to earn his right as “Cleveland’s top option under center” and justify the massive contract the Browns made to acquire him.

Watson is now competing against Shedeur Sanders, who is in his second NFL season with the Browns. The offensive coordinator, Travis Switzer, gave insight into both quarterbacks at the OTAs. 

OC Travis Switzer Gives Update on Watson and Sanders

As the Cleveland Browns are going through their OTAs, it looks like neither Deshaun Watson nor Shedeur Sanders has an edge over the other, per their OC. 

“I don’t know that we have somebody who’s ahead,” said Travis Switzer to reporters on Wednesday. “We’re pleased with both their progress and all the guys are doing a nice job.”

Switzer further added that both quarterbacks are getting familiar with the system. He said that he was pleased to see the growth in both Watson and Sanders. 

The OC concluded by saying that the quarterbacks’ progression in a short span of time is encouraging to see. The Browns fans are excited about getting to know who their QB1 would be for the upcoming season. 

Who do you think will have the lead in the QB battle?

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi