Why Browns will almost certainly make this Deshaun Watson decision in 2027

Recently, a video featuring ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter saying, either jokingly or mistakenly, that Deshaun Watson could remain with the Cleveland Browns through the 2027 season raised eyebrows among upset Browns fans who no longer want the quarterback associated with the franchise. 

Throughout the spring and summer months, Browns reporters have repeatedly insisted that there is basically zero chance Watson will be on the team's roster at this point next year. John Breech of CBS Sports explained why that is the case. 

Browns have a deadline for parting ways with Deshaun Watson

"During the [Browns' restructuring of Watson's contract on multiple occasions], Watson had two dummy/voiding years in 2027 and 2028 that were turned into real contract years with minimum salaries," Breech shared. "Watson also has a base salary of $200M in 2029 that's NOT guaranteed, but it becomes FULLY guaranteed if he's still on the roster by the third day of the league year in 2027. If the Browns don't want to pay the $200M, they have to cut Watson before March 13, 2027."

Multiple reporters have denied that what's left of the fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract Watson received from the Browns in March 2022 is why he was named the team's Week 1 starter over second-year pro Shedeur Sanders. That said, it's no secret that the money attached to that deal is a big reason Watson is still with the Browns this summer. 

Watson served an 11-game suspension in 2022 due to numerous allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions, and injuries have since limited him to just 19 regular-season starts. In the fall of 2024, he was arguably the worst starting quarterback in the league before he suffered the first of two Achilles injuries. That was the last time he played during a meaningful game. 

Deshaun Watson likely also wants a divorce

As much as Browns ownership regrets spending all that it cost to get Watson from the Houston Texans in March 2022, his comments following the club's preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 22 indicate he can't wait to get out of Cleveland. He later somewhat attempted to walk those words back, but the fact remains that he and the Browns won't have to wait long into 2027 to finalize a breakup that's been coming for some time.