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 8, 2026, 4:01 AM CUT
NFL Insider's Latest Claim Brings Positive Update for Deshaun Watson Amidst Recent Uncertainty
The Browns kept Deshaun Watson only on the bench after he returned to practice in the 2025 season. A 2026 return is clouded, but an NFL Insider has some good news.
National analyst Rich Eisen said on his show that the Browns might start the former Texans QB in the next season.
"Deshaun Watson. Don't you think he's starting next year? Why wouldn't they give it one last run? For all the money that you put in his pocket, if he's ready to play, see what you got."
Watson has one of the biggest contracts in NFL history. Back in 2022, the Browns gave the Texans three first-round picks (2022, 2023, 2024), a third-rounder (2023), and two fourth-rounders (2022 and 2024) in return for Watson (plus a 2024 sixth-round pick).
And then he signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract with Cleveland. He has only started 19 games for the team in four seasons and recorded 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, with a career passer rating of about 80.7.
Watson was a great talent. He had a passer rating of 104.5 with 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions in 54 games for the Texans. But he didn't quite click for the Browns; injuries played a big part there. Maybe they can give him one last opportunity in 2026.
Browns' ownership might not have faith in Deshaun Watson
After he fired Kevin Stefanski, Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam also talked about Watson in Monday's press meet. Spoiler: he isn't exactly a fan of how things turned out after the trade.
“I mean, I don’t think we need to cover it again. I mean, I said it. You know, when you trade for a player, and you give up three number ones and two number threes, that really depletes your ability to raise the roster. So, did it have impact? Yes," he said.
A post-June 1 release would push the expense into 2027, but the overall dead money would remain quite large. If they transfer Watson in 2026, they will still have considerable dead cap, the same as the release.
So while they have him on the team, why not use his experience on the field? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Written by
Reyansh Dubey
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu