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
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
Jan 27, 2026, 2:05 PM CUT
“Don’t Sense a Commitment to Deshaun Watson”: Browns Expert Concerned Over $131.2 Million QB’s Future at Cleveland
Perhaps things are beyond saving with quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was referred to as a “big swing-and-miss” trade by franchise owner Jimmy Haslam.
After signing a five-year, $233 million-guaranteed contract in 2022, multiple injuries have limited Watson to only 19 games. Although his contract is nearing its end, Scott Petrak believes Cleveland won't cut him from the roster.
After all, the Browns would take a whopping $131.2 million cap hit if they let him go before June 1, 2026, as per OverTheCap. While that number goes down significantly if they make their move after June 1, it's still an $80.7 million loss.
In an episode of The Cleveland Talking Show, hosts Andy Baskin and Jeff Phelps spoke with Scott Petrak and discussed which options franchise ownership and management could explore.
“You tell them what you think of the guys. And I don't sense a commitment to Deshaun Watson as the answer. I expect him to be here next year, but I don’t think the Browns are forcing Deshaun Watson on any potential (coaching) candidate,” he said.
“But, it'd be interesting to hear what they say about Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel. But mostly Sanders," added Petrak.
Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson?
Weeks after firing their former head coach, Kevin Stefanski, the Browns are nowhere near finding a new one.
Apart from the embarrassing 5-12 record, Stefanski was also caught up in one of the messiest quarterback situations with three starters in a single season.
Petrak believes that the Browns would benefit if they show faith in Sanders and push him as their franchise quarterback.
“If they’re saying ‘hey, we think this guy could be the guy,’ right? And if they’re forcing or pushing that on the new coach, I think that would go a long way," said Petrak.
With 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns across eight games, Sanders proved himself the best QB on the roster for this regular season. However, Watson’s contract situation does make things more challenging for Cleveland.
What will the roster look like, according to you? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Written by
Akanksha Biradar
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi