Browns have Deshaun Watson expectation for 2026 amid Shedeur Sanders uncertainty

The Cleveland Browns embraced somewhat of a franchise reset on Monday when they relieved head coach Kevin Stefanski of his duties and confirmed that Andrew Berry would remain the club's general manager.

While speaking with reporters on Monday afternoon, Berry was asked if quarterback Deshaun Watson would also stay with the Browns through the offseason. 

Browns "anticipate" Deshaun Watson staying put through 2026

"I can never predict the future, but right now we do anticipate him being on the 2026 team," Berry said about Watson's status, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.

Watson has thus far made just 19 regular-season starts for the Browns since they acquired him from the Houston Texans and signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract in March 2022. He did not take a single snap during the 2025 campaign after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in October 2024 and then required a second surgery last January after he reinjured the Achilles during his recovery.

The Browns also have 2025 rookie quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel on their roster. Sanders ended Cleveland's season as the club's QB1, and he went 3-4 across seven starts.

Did Andrew Berry refute Shedeur Sanders report?

A previous report claimed that "sources say the Browns are preparing for Sanders to be their starter next season, hoping to build around the quarterback and get better results in Year 2." Understandably, Berry was asked during Monday's media availability about Sanders' development from springtime workouts through Week 18.

"He's still very much a work in progress, like many people," Berry said about Sanders, according to Oyefusi. Berry also declined to commit to Sanders as the club's 2026 Week 1 starter. 

Per Pro Football Reference, Sanders finished the regular season ranked last in the NFL among qualified players with a 56.6 percent completion percentage, a 68.1 passer rating and a 19.0 adjusted QBR. Some may feel such numbers show Sanders will be nothing more than a long-term backup in the NFL, at best. However, outsiders can only guess what head-coaching candidates will say about Sanders and about Cleveland's overall quarterback situation during to-be-scheduled interviews.