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 22, 2026, 4:08 PM CUT
Things Look Bleak for Deshaun Watson as Browns Insider Makes Surprising Confession
Deshaun Watson's future in Cleveland looks grim. An NFL insider just delivered a blunt verdict on the quarterback's career, suggesting his time is running out faster than anyone thinks.
According to Mike Sando, from The Athletic, doesn't see it getting any better. The analyst predicts Watson will not receive another contract.
“I’m going to lean towards no. I don’t think he’s shown enough for people to take on the negativity that’s going to come in your market and organization when everyone relitigates all the garbage stuff that made him unattractive.”
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Sep 7, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson 4 during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20250907_jhp_bk4_0465
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Sep 7, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson 4 during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20250907_jhp_bk4_0465
Watson is yet to play a full season for the Browns because of suspension and injuries. In three seasons, he has just 3,365 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Browns in his career. However, when he was with the Texans, he had three consecutive 3500+ passing yards and 25+ touchdown seasons.
Deshaun Watson signed a 5-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the Browns in 2022 after the Texans traded him. The next season will be his last for the Browns. And considering how Jimmy Haslam called him a “swing and miss”, he might not get another. The Browns can also not release or trade him because they owe him a large guaranteed bonus, creating millions in dead cap.
The next season will be very crucial for Watson because that is his last chance to showcase that he still has it. He has to compete with young talent like Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel to be the QB 1 for the team.
Deshaun Watson Might Get More Competition
For now, we know the Browns have two QBs to challenge Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. But neither of them could have a profound impact on the team in the 2025 season. They could only win 5 games.
Andrew Berry has said he will look into the quarterback market, and Mike Sando thinks a new QB is coming.
The analyst added, “I could see a development plan, having him (Sanders) on the roster, and trying to go with him. I just think you need more options.”
The good news for Deshaun Watson fans is that he is not giving up. The former Texans QB posted a video of himself doing intense training in December 2025.
"Credits haven’t rolled.. my story is still being written ✍🏽 MoreGLORY!," he captioned. Watson seems determined to prove his doubters wrong. Can he do it?
Written by
Reyansh Dubey
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar