The Deshaun Watson era has not gone according to plan in Cleveland, to say the very least. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has gone as far as publicly calling the Watson acquisition a “big swing-and-miss.” 
During his latest media appearance, however, Haslam struck a different tone regarding the team’s quarterback situation. Haslam spoke with reporters at the league meeting, leaving the door open to Watson returning to the QB1 gig for 2026. Having healed from two Achilles tears, the former Texans Pro Bowler is positioned to compete with Shedeur Sanders for the starting spot.
“Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive-minded coach, who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful,” Haslam said (via ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi). “So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now. We talked to him the other day, he said he weighs the [least] he has in several years… Let’s see what Deshaun can do. We’re all excited.”
Earlier this month, the Browns continued their annual tradition of restructuring Watson’s fully guaranteed contract. The 30-year-old’s cap hit for this season was reduced once more as a result, but a dead money charge of $86.2MM looms. Cleveland is in position to make Watson a post-June 1 release next spring, spreading that money out across the 2027 and ’28 seasons. In the meantime, he will look to post a healthy campaign and at least provide some value to the Browns.
Due to injuries and the personal conduct suspension which began his Browns tenure, Watson has only played 19 games with his second career team. That figure could increase depending on how things play out in training camp. Sanders took over the QB1 role late in his rookie season, and he and fellow 2025 draftee Dillon Gabriel are on the roster at this point. Another passer could be added during April’s draft, something which could leave Cleveland with a logjam under center for the second summer in a row.
Across the board, Watson’s production in Cleveland has fallen well short of his peak years in Houston. The former first-rounder will not be expected to return to his previous form in 2026 provided he finds himself on the field, given his missed time and struggles to date as a member of the Browns. Nevertheless, the potential for a return to starting duties will be something to monitor through the summer.
Wasn’t Haslam a minority owner w/ the Steelers? Didn’t he see how a successful franchise is run?
Thank God he was only a minority owner here.
Must be nice to be rich and able to buy into NFL teams that always super appreciate in value.
I’d understand if fans wanted him gone. But if Watson reverts back to his previous form, they might be able to dump him without a 100% write-down.
If they don’t start, take the biggest hit possible as soon as possible.
“Unpunished fraudster talks about serial sex offender” would also be a fine headline.