Browns make first major Deshaun Watson decision for 2026 season

As far back as last year, some NFL insiders suggested that the Cleveland Browns could come up with a unique way to get quarterback Deshaun Watson off their roster this offseason. However, that was before the club relieved head coach Kevin Stefanski of his duties this past January. 

Recently hired head coach Todd Monken hinted throughout February that he planned to give Watson a chance to resurrect his career with the Browns. Cleveland seemingly will soon make such a plan a reality. 

Why Deshaun Watson isn't going anywhere this offseason

Insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic shared on Friday that the Browns are restructuring what's left of the fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract they gave Watson back in March 2022. 

"The long-expected move will save more than $35M in cap space and ensure Watson remains on the roster for 2026," Jackson added. Pro Football Talk's Myles Simmons noted that Watson’s cap charge was set to be $80.72M for the 2026 campaign before Cleveland's latest reworking of the deal. 

Watson was arguably the worst starting quarterback of the 2024 season before he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in October of that year. He then missed the entire 2025 campaign after he re-injured the Achilles during his recovery. 

To date, he has made just 19 regular-season starts since joining the Browns. 

What this Deshaun Watson news means for Browns' quarterback plans

Before Friday's developments, it was said that the Browns likely won't make a serious play to sign Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis in free agency due to what's left on Watson's contract and because Willis will want to sign a multiyear deal with a team willing to immediately name him its starter. Additionally, at least one Browns insider thinks the team will pass on grabbing a signal-caller in the first three rounds of the upcoming draft. 

As has been the case throughout the winter, it seems that the Browns will open training camp with Watson and 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders in their quarterback room. It's unclear if Monken plans to give 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel a legitimate chance to be even a backup with the team later this year.