The Cleveland Browns face a quarterback conundrum heading into the 2026 NFL season, and at its centre is a player who hasn't taken a snap in nearly two years. Deshaun Watson, acquired in a blockbuster trade, remains a pivotal figure in the team's future not due to his recent performance, but because of an unprecedented financial commitment the franchise simply cannot escape.
The Unavoidable $80 Million Dollar Question
General Manager Andrew Berry has confirmed the organisation expects Watson to be on the 2026 roster. This decision stems directly from the quarterback's colossal contract. Watson is entering the final genuine year of his fully guaranteed five-year deal, originally valued at over $230 million. His base salary for 2026 is $46 million, but through repeated contract restructures, his projected salary cap hit has ballooned to a historic figure exceeding $80 million. This sum represents the highest single-season cap charge in NFL history, severely limiting Cleveland's flexibility.
Berry pointed to Watson's attitude during his lengthy rehabilitation as a positive sign, noting his involvement in meetings and his approach to preparation. While these comments do not anoint Watson as the definitive starter, they make the Browns' intention clear: they must evaluate what, if anything, the 30-year-old quarterback has left to offer on the field.
A Crowded Quarterback Room With Unproven Talent
The financial reality forces the Browns into a holding pattern. Owner Jimmy Haslam has already labelled the trade for Watson a "big swing and miss." Yet, the team's options are scarce. Cleveland currently has two younger quarterbacks, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, who will compete for the starting job in training camp. However, neither has established himself as a proven NFL starter, creating an environment of uncertainty.
This lack of a clear successor means the Browns are not pressured to use a high draft pick on another quarterback. Holding ten draft selections, the team has a rare opportunity to bolster the roster around the quarterback position. The focus is expected to shift to providing support through offensive line help, receivers, tight ends, and defensive depth. The logic is straightforward: whoever emerges as the starter will need a stronger supporting cast than what exists currently.
Watson's Rocky Road and a Final Chance
Deshaun Watson's career has been derailed by a perfect storm of off-field issues and injuries. He has not completed a full season since 2020, with his time in Cleveland marred by a suspension, shoulder surgery, and two separate Achilles injuries. By the 2026 kickoff, he will be a 30-year-old player whose on-field abilities are a major question mark.
Internally, Watson has received praise for his role as a mentor to the younger quarterbacks and for accepting a reduced role during his recovery. The 2026 season presents what may be a final, costly audition. He may not be the long-term answer, and he might not even win the starting job. But due to his contract, his experience, and the unproven nature of Sanders and Gabriel, Watson will undoubtedly be part of the competition.
The upcoming campaign promises to bring clarity to a saga that has defined the Browns for years. Whether that clarity comes in the form of a stunning comeback or the definitive end of the Watson era in Cleveland remains to be seen.
