Cleveland Browns
Getty
Browns analyst gives positive update on Deshaun Watson
The Cleveland Browns enter the offseason with a major question of who will start at quarterback.
Cleveland enters the offseason with Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson all under contract. The latter missed all of last season due to an injury, and he’s expected to remain on the roster due to his cap hit.
However, Watson has a very real chance of winning the starting quarterback job, according to insider Mary Kay Cabot. Cabot was on 92.3 The Fan on Thursday and revealed that Watson was the most talented quarterback in practice when he was able to practice for three weeks.
“He did get some quality reps in those three weeks,” Cabot said on Thursday. “He was running the scout team and doing some other things so they could see what he was all about. What his arm looked like, what his agility and his footwork looked like. He did get some quality reps during that time. Just from a physical ability, from a talent standpoint, from arm talent, the whole picture, he looked to some people the most talented quarterback on the field.
“That shouldn’t be that surprising; he is a three-time Pro Bowler. He was an elite quarterback before all these injuries. So, it was significant for them to see that, and that is what they wanted to know in those three weeks. I think he passed the test for flying colours, and he will get a chance to compete for the job.”
If Watson can even get close to the quarterback he was in the past, it will be massive for the Browns. He also likely would win the starting job and help solidify the Browns’ offense, which has been an issue for years.
Browns QB Competition is Wide Open
Cleveland enters the offseason with a major question mark at quarterback.
If the Browns don’t add a quarterback, it does seem likely that either Watson or Sanders will be the team’s starting quarterback in Week 1. However, new Browns head coach Todd Monken admitted he is intrigued about Watson and seeing how he looks coming back from an injury.
“You’ve got two young players that still have a long way to go in terms of development, and that’s part of the learning curve in the NFL,” Monken said of Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. “And then you’ve got a player like Deshaun, who’s coming back from injury and at one time was a Pro Bowl player, and an elite player in this league, that we would love to tap back into that, let alone with Dillon and Shedeur.”
Watson was once considered one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Yet, his suspension and then injuries have plagued his career with the Browns. The hope for Monken is that Watson is healthy again and can help provide a spark to the offense in 2026.
Watson and Monken Have Talked
With Watson still under contract and expected to be on the Browns’ roster in 2026, he has talked to Monken.
The two have had brief discussions about the offense, according to Cabot. Meanwhile, Watson has already begun working out and throwing to some Browns receivers.
“The two men have already communicated, and are eager to work together once the offseason program begins in April,” Cabot said. “In the meantime, Watson began working out with his private trainer in South Florida on Monday, and will begin throwing on Wednesday with his private quarterbacks coach Quincy Avery and possibly some Browns receivers.”
Watson last played an NFL game on October 20, 2024.