There’s a real nightmare scenario potentially brewing for the Cleveland Browns if Deshaun Watson is the starting quarterback
Deshaun Watson could be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 2026. The Browns picking Watson to be the starter in 2026 could have major implications on the future.
The best thing that could have happened for Deshaun Watson’s chances of starting for the Cleveland Browns was a new head coach. Watson clearly never stood a chance in Kevin Stefanski’s system and he gets a fresh start with Todd Monken. There’s a world where Watson is the 2026 starter, and it may even be trending that way.
Watson being the starter for the Browns in 2026 is bad news for Cleveland if it plays out in a very predictable way.
Browns starting Deshaun Watson would be a tough pill to swallow for the future
The Browns will have Watson around for one more season before they can part ways next offseason. Outside of Watson returning to form as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL, there’s zero chance he’s with the Browns next season. The Browns have three young quarterbacks on the roster, but it doesn’t matter if none of them can win the starting job.
Deshaun Watson notes from his time in Cleveland
- Watson is 9-10 in 19 starts with the Browns. He’s never played more than seven games in a season with the Browns due to suspension and injuries.
- Watson has thrown for 3,365 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with the Browns.
- The Browns have been unable to move on from Watson due to the five-year $230 million fully-guaranteed contract that was firm when the traded for him from the Texans.
Rookie Taylen Green joins Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in the Browns quarterback room. My take right now is the Browns will trot out Watson, Sanders, and Green as their three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Cleveland is coming off a five-win season and their schedule is going to be more favorable than last year’s. If the Browns go out there and win six to eight games with Watson, it’s the worst-case scenario.
Cleveland missing the playoffs while also not being in the top 10 of the draft order would be a real gut punch. The 2027 NFL Draft will be better than the 2026 cycle at quarterback. Names like Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Darian Mensah, Julian Sayin, and Drew Mestemaker are names to know for next year’s draft. Watson has given the Browns zero reason to believe he’s the franchise quarterback for four years now, and he’ll turn 31 years old at the start of the season.
If Watson goes out and gives the Browns close to average play and they lean on their defense, the Browns may see a good bump in success from last season. In what is likely Watson’s last season with the team, it’s not worth missing out on the 2027 quarterbacks.
Of course, when the time comes, Cleveland can try to trade up for a quarterback. That’s easier said than done because just like the Browns, teams around the NFL are looking forward to what’s coming in 2027. Some fans may not want to hear it, but this is a real scenario that could play out in Monken’s first season.
