Deshaun Watson could start for the Cleveland Browns next season.
Deshaun Watson is projected to be the Cleveland Browns' starting QB in 2026, ahead of Shedeur Sanders.
Watson emerged from the Browns' voluntary minicamp as the favorite to be the team's starting quarterback. The former Houston Texans star has the inside track to be Cleveland's QB1 in 2026.
According to an AFC executive who spoke with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Watson must stay healthy and play well next season if he wants to be a starter somewhere in 2027.
Watson becomes a free agent in March 2027.
"The main thing is showing that he can stay healthy," an AFC executive said.
Suspension and injuries have limited Watson to 19 games since he arrived in Cleveland. Since making his Browns debut, Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR, the lowest among qualified passers.
A Clemson product, Watson has 3,365 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns with Cleveland. He's thrown 12 interceptions.
Watson has 17,904 passing yards and 123 passing touchdowns in the NFL with the Texans and Browns. He was the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft.
Cleveland went 5-12 last season. Todd Monken replaces Kevin Stefanski, who was fired and joined the Atlanta Falcons as their new HC.
"Anytime that you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skill set at an elite level," Monken said of Watson. "I think you're always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of him again, and I think that's how you should look at every player."
The Browns restructured Watson's contract in March. Cleveland freed up close to $36 million in cap space. Watson was set to have an $80.7 million cap hit in 2026, the largest in the NFL. He signed a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal upon being traded to Cleveland before the 2022 season.
All signs point toward Watson starting for the Browns next season. It will be fascinating to see how he plays.
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