Deshaun Watson has started training to get back on the field following a re-ruptured Achilles Tendon after almost a year.

But the big question still lingers. Will he play in the 2026 season as the Browns QB1? A 2x Super Bowl Champion has brutally rejected the notion.

In a recent episode of First Take, Super Bowl XXXVI & XXXVIII winner Damien Woody was asked about his thoughts on Shedeur Sanders being the QB1 of the Browns. He started with Watson:

"I mean, listen, I guess over 50%. I mean, right now you're talking about between him and Deshaun Watson. H***, Deshaun Watson hasn't been relevant since 2020," he said. "The only thing that's keeping Deshaun Watson on that team is his contract. And so when you talk about those two, I would have to lean towards Shedeur."

Watson signed a five-year, fully guaranteed, $230 million contract with the Browns when he was traded there in 2022. This was one of the largest guaranteed deals in NFL history.

The contract runs through the 2026 season with roughly $46 million owed per season. An interesting thing is that the team cannot trade or release him.

The deal includes a no-trade clause for its full length, so they can't send him to another team if they want.

Plus, even if he agreed, there's less possibility of any team getting him. Not only does he have a massive cap hit, but a serious injury history and a large guaranteed salary as well.

If the Browns cut Deshaun Watson before his contract expires, it's worse. Most of the remaining guaranteed money will convert to their cap immediately. That could mean $80 million-plus in dead cap in 2026 alone, and even more in the following year.

Watson has a passer rating of 80.7 with 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 19 games for the Browns in his career.

Though Andrew Berry sounded positive about him at the 2026 NFL Combine.

What did Andrew Berry Say About Deshaun Watson at the 2026 NFL Combine?

At the 2026 NFL Combine, Berry was asked about the QB1 of the Browns. Cleveland's General Manager said that he wants competition at every spot and added:

"Deshaun's been working really hard. He's been working his tail off and like I said, we're excited to go into April with all of our players across the roster because competition is something that we really believe in."

In Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season, Watson ruptured his Achilles tendon and was out for the season. During rehab, he tore the same Achilles tendon again in early 2025, requiring a second surgery and missing the 2025 season as well.

He will be returning to the 2026 NFL season after having played his last game in October 2024.

Do you think he can be the QB1 of the Browns? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Kalp Thaker