Deshaun Watson Could Emerge In 2027 NFL Free Agency

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Deshaun Watson Could Emerge In 2027 NFL Free Agency

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated May 27, 2026 2:00 PM ET

It's been a pretty long time since Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson was healthy, let alone playing at a high level. But with Watson looking healthy heading into 2026, there's a chance he could be gearing up for a third act to his career in 2027.

On Wednesday, Ari Meirov of The 33rd NFL Team reported that Watson and Browns head coach Todd Monken have "built a great relationship so far" and could wind up as the starting quarterback this year. He mused that if Watson wins the job and plays well, he could hit free agency and secure another big time contract.

"It might sound crazy, but it’s within the realm of possibility that Deshaun Watson ends up as the #Browns’ QB1, plays well this season, and hits free agency next offseason with a chance to land another contract. From all accounts, he and Todd Monken have built a great relationship so far," Meirov wrote.

It might sound crazy, but it’s within the realm of possibility that Deshaun Watson ends up as the #Browns’ QB1, plays well this season, and hits free agency next offseason with a chance to land another contract.

From all accounts, he and Todd Monken have built a great… https://t.co/b2bzqq7P0I pic.twitter.com/ti4X7gkulI
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 27, 2026

NFL fans were not at all amused by the idea, pointing out that Watson's past incidents should or will preclude him from earning a big money contract ever again.

"Deshaun Watson hasn’t played well since his last year with the Texans in 2020. It’s been 6 years and he’s had 2 major injuries since then. It’s technically possibly I could be a millionaire but I don’t give it the time of day just like Watson being good again," one user remarked.

"Why would any other team give that garbage creep more money?" another asked.

"Sounds like fan fiction his agent wrote. Nice try Ari," wrote a third.

Oct 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images&period;

A Career Derailed

From 2017 to 2020, Deshaun Watson ranked among the fastest rising stars in the NFL. He led the team on back-to-back playoff runs and even led the league in passing yards in 2020.

But a series of terrible allegations about sexual misconduct involving dozens of massage therapists led to the wider NFL despising or simply mocking Watson and the Cleveland Browns subsequently made a massive trade to bring him into the fold in 2022 amid all of the chaos.

Yet in four years with the Browns, he's played in just 19 games and looked nothing like the man who once made three straight Pro Bowls. He missed the entirety of 2025 due to injuries.

2026 won't just be his best chance to redeem himself on the field, it may be his last one too. Though for many fans, even a Super Bowl won't be enough to fix his image.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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