Browns Planning To Start Deshaun Watson In Week 10

Watson cleared concussion protocol on Saturday before Week 9, but the team opted to start Shedeur Sanders because Watson couldn’t participate in any team periods during the week leading up to Week 9.

Watson, 31, was taken in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Clemson by the Texans. He signed a four-year, $13.854 million rookie deal with the Texans that included a fifth-year option of around $17.3 million for the 2021 season.

The Texans later signed Watson to a four-year extension worth as much as $177 million heading into the 2020 season, paying him $39 million a year. However, Watson requested a trade after the season, then sat out the entire 2021 season while navigating more than two dozen lawsuits for sexual misconduct. He was later suspended for 11 games. 

Watson was traded to the Browns for significant draft compensation in 2022 and signed a five-year, $230 million, fully guaranteed contract as part of the trade. The deal runs through 2026 and includes base salaries of $46 million in each of the final two seasons. 

In 2026, Watson has started eight games for the Browns and completed 65.6 percent of his pass attempts for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also rushed 51 times for 217 yards and another touchdown.