NFL insider reveals Browns might not be done with Deshaun Watson after 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Browns made one of the worst trades in NFL history a few years ago, sending a king’s ransom of draft capital to the Houston Texans for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
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It instantly turned out to be a horrible trade, compounded by the fact they gave him a $230 million contract fully guaranteed that hamstruck the team’s resources for years to come. They wasted Myles Garrett’s prime with this trade.
But now, with Watson playing decently well in 2026, The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones shared that the Browns might willingly sign up for another year with Watson as their starting quarterback.
“The door is wide open for him to be with the Browns,” a league source told Jones. “It’s the only line on a starting quarterback job he’ll have. And even if you are in position to take one high, or get in position to do so, you’re in no rush to play the rookie.”
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This anonymous NFL insider told Jones that the Browns might not be done with Watson just yet, as his best path to earning a starting job in the NFL after 2026 could come with the Browns again next year.
Cleveland could opt to take a quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft in the first round, but even in that scenario, it might not be a surprise if the Browns bring Watson back as a bridge QB for a year.
That’s what the Las Vegas Raiders are doing this season, starting Kirk Cousins in the meantime while No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza waits in the wings.
MORE: ESPN analyst believes Browns are a quarterback away from being Super Bowl contenders
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Would the Browns really bring Watson back next season? After years of frustration from the fans and the front office, not to mention the bad PR and the mediocre at-best on-field performance from Watson, bringing him back would likely be a mistake.
Sure, the Browns might sign a veteran quarterback for a year as a short-term starter over a rookie, like what the Raiders are doing. But it doesn’t have to be Watson.
Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel could take on such a role. Taylen Green could even be such a starter if he shows anything to end the 2026 season. Besides, there are plenty of other QBs worth considering instead of Watson.
For years, the Browns have been waiting for a chance to move on from the Watson era. To finally have an out, with Watson set to leave the team this offseason, why would they bring him back for another season?
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He’s not playing well enough right now to consider bringing him back, even with the team at 4-2. But based on Jones’ report, it seems like there is a real possibility, even if it’s not the most likely outcome, that Watson returns for one more year in Cleveland.
