Multiple insiders believe Deshaun Watson has a legitimate shot at starting under center for the Cleveland Browns in 2026
The Cleveland Browns have touted their quarterback situation as an open competition for the starting job. And even though it hasn't officially started just year – although spring workouts are just around the corner – there's plenty of speculation already mounting over who will win the job.
As things stand right now, that aforementioned competition is expected to include second-year signal callers Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, as well as embattled veteran Deshaun Watson.
And while some may believe Watson is only here because his contract situation requires it, several insiders seem to think he has a legitimate chance to win the job outright.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer added some fuel to that fire during a visit to 92.3 The Fan's Afternoon Drive this week, putting an actual percentage on the likelihood Watson is the starter.
"30%, maybe, I don't know," Breer said. "I still think Deshaun's going to get a shot. I look at all the money they sunk into it ... There is a reason Deshaun at one point was thr 12th overall pick in the draft. There's a reason why Deshaun was twice the highest paid player in all of football. There is so much demonstrated evidence of Deshaun Watson being a really good NFL QB and we have none on Shedeur [Sanders]."
One day later, local beat writer Ashley Bastock of Cleveland.com echoed those comments during her own visit to Afternoon Drive.
"The messaging has been very clear, in terms of how they've been talking about Deshaun Watson, really even going back to last year. So I have been telling fans who wanted to laugh this off, or they obviously look at how much of a disaster it's been with Deshaun Watson and the number of games he's played here just being so small, that that's just not reality."
In a quarterback room that includes two players coming off of inconsistent rookie seasons, it's fair to reason that Watson could still be the best QB of the group, considering how talented he once was.
Of course, the version of Watson that led the league in passing was six years and two serous injuries ago, so there's really no guarantee he'll ever be that player again.
While the Browns are stuck with him, though, it's certainly plausible that new head coach Todd Monken will attempt to find out if there's anything left in that tank before the two parties potentially part ways next offseason.
The process of naming a starting QB will begin in the coming weeks and months when Cleveland kicks off its offseason program.
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