Cleveland Browns brass is preparing fans for the possibility of Deshaun Watson starting at quarterback in 2026. His future beyond next season, however, is unclear.
Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are in the midst of an open competition for the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback role this spring. Now, a recent report from Cleveland.com revealed that Watson is the frontrunner for the job.
While that may not sit well with a lot of fans, it's not far-fetched to think that Watson, the most experienced QB of the group, who was once a top 5 player at the position, could wind up looking like the best signal caller at practice and win the job.
The powers that be inside the organization appear to be preparing everyone for that possibility as well. During a recent conversation on ESPN Cleveland, Browns managing partner JW Johnson highlighted how refreshed Watson looks after missing all of last season due to an Achilles tear.
Johnson also added some telling comments regarding Watson's future beyond 2026.
"He's got nothing to lose," Johnson began. "And If he's our starting quarterback, I know there's people that won't be supportive, but they should need to be supportive as much as they can and if he plays great -- hey, awesome. And if he doesn't, then it is what it is and we're looking ahead to the future."
The remarks certainly put in perspective what's at stake for Watson this season. His contract is the main reason he's even still on the Browns roster, as the dead cap money associated with the deal is too cumbersome for the team to absorb.
Watson's future after this season, both with the franchise and in the NFL is totally unclear at this point, considering no one really knows if he can still play football at a productive level. Winning the job would go a long way in proving he still belongs, though.
Obviously, Cleveland's blockbuster trade for the embattled QB has been an epic failure to this point, but perhaps one last opportunity to start with a new head coach could help make the move a little easier to swallow.
Whether or not the Browns would consider re-signing Watson if he plays well is also still unknown at this point. Following a productive draft that saw General Manager Andrew Berry overhaul the offense in a major way, Watson should have a solid supporting case around him if he is the starter.
Most importantly, though, Cleveland is now positioned to find out one way or another if their future at QB is already on the team, or if they have to find that guy elsewhere.
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