After beating out Shedeur Sanders to be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns over the summer, Deshaun Watson has helped the franchise start 3-1 - and he could secure a new deal
Shedeur Sanders may need to wait longer still for his chance to become the Browns starter
Shedeur Sanders may need to wait longer still for his chance to become the Browns starter(Image: Getty Images)
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The Cleveland Browns will reportedly look to re-sign controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson if he leads the franchise to the playoffs.
Just three weeks ago, after the Browns were blown out by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Watson was heavily booed by fans as his controversial tenure hit rock bottom. However, he has steadily shifted the conversation thanks to his play.
On Thursday Night Football in Week 4, the Browns moved to 3-1 thanks to a dramatic 27-24 win over an exasperated Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kicker Andre Szmyt kicked the game-winning field goal late, with Watson completing 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown, alongside an interception.
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Entering Week 5, Watson has cracked the top 10 in the NFL in terms of quarterback rating, highlighting his effectiveness in making plays under center. He has conjured up three straight game-winning drives, and as a result, almost inexplicably, Watson could continue in Cleveland come the end of the season.
Watson is in the final year of the unprecedented, fully guaranteed $250 million deal that he signed upon being traded to the Browns from the Houston Texans. Thanks to his public reputation, suspension, and two season-ending injuries, it has proved to be an awful deal for the Browns, who gave up three first-round picks and more to secure Watson’s services.
But it seems that if Watson leads the Browns to the playoffs on the back of his play, the AFC North franchise will consider re-signing him after the 2026 NFL season, according to Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. He has proved himself useful under head coach Todd Monken, making good decisions and making plays with his feet.
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Deshaun Watson is rekindling memories of his best form with the Texans through the early stages of the 2026 season
Deshaun Watson is rekindling memories of his best form with the Texans through the early stages of the 2026 season(Image: Getty Images)
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As a result, Watson could be retained — which represents a hammer blow to Shedeur Sanders. The sophomore quarterback threw for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns with 10 interceptions in the 2025 NFL season, and even earned a Pro Bowl berth, although this was likely a choice made based on popularity rather than performance.
Sanders had a chance to beat out Watson in training camp, but Monken went with the veteran, and he has lived up to the billing thus far. Watson’s impressive play with his legs is particularly notable given he’s coming off a twice-repaired ruptured Achilles.
Over the past few weeks, the Browns have leaned on a shotgun-based offense with more spread concepts and possession passing, mixing in designed quarterback runs and deep shots to the young receiving corps. This has proved effective, certainly more so than the under-center, play-action offense the Browns used in the first couple of weeks.
Come the end of the season, the Browns can either let Watson walk and sign with another team, sign him to a short-term bridge contract and look to either Sanders or another name long-term, or sign the veteran to another multi-year deal. If he takes them to the playoffs this season, the Browns will ultimately try to re-sign or extend him, largely to make up for the large package Cleveland sent to Houston for Watson.
Back in 2021, nearly 30 women filed civil lawsuits against Watson. The plaintiffs accused Watson of sexual misconduct, and after the quarterback denied all wrongdoing, two Texas grand juries declined to criminalize or indict him on the charges.
Before the win over the Steelers, Taylor Rooks interviewed Watson about his journey from the allegations to being Cleveland’s starter in 2026.
Watson and the 3-1 Browns are next in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11.