Browns may be changing Deshaun Watson plans for 2027 as Shedeur Sanders becomes an afterthought

From this past spring through the summer months, multiple reports insisted that it was highly unlikely that quarterback Deshaun Watson would remain with the Cleveland Browns beyond the 2026 season. 

One reason such talk surfaced is that the Browns' restructuring of Watson's contract on multiple occasions created a scenario where the team has to cut him before March 13, 2027, to avoid being on the hook for a base salary of $200M in 2029 that becomes fully guaranteed if he's still on the roster by the third day of the upcoming league year. 

However, the fact that the Browns will end October with a record of 5-2 has understandably sparked new questions about Watson's future. It now sounds like the Browns are open to keeping Watson for longer than some thought just two months ago. 

Browns now prepared to hold onto Deshaun Watson?

During a Monday appearance on Cleveland sports radio station 92.3 The Fan, Browns reporter Daryl Ruiter shared that the club "probably" will re-sign Watson if "this keeps going" and the signal-caller guides the team to a playoff berth. 

As noted by the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Watson led his fifth winning drive in the fourth quarter of a game this season en route to the Browns notching a 27-24 victory at the lowly Tennessee Titans (1-6) on Sunday afternoon. Watson will next start for the Browns at the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 1. Back in Week 4, he helped Cleveland earn a 27-24 home win over Pittsburgh.

According to Ruiter, the Browns and Watson could essentially agree to a deal that would ensure the 31-year-old is Cleveland's QB1 in September 2027 regardless of the contract restructures. Of course, plenty has to happen before such an agreement is inked.

Why Browns may not be in a rush to marry themselves to Deshaun Watson beyond 2026

ESPN stats show that Watson began Monday ranked 27th in the NFL among qualified players with a 43.8 adjusted QBR on the season. Per Pro Football Reference, he ended the weekend ranked 18th with a 90.6 passer rating and 22nd with an average of 211.7 passing yards per game. Additionally, no quarterback has taken more sacks than Watson (25) since Week 1. 

Such numbers could suggest that Watson will soon come back down to earth as it pertains to his record for the season. Additionally, his injury history may lead one to believe that Cleveland QB2 Shedeur Sanders will need to take some meaningful snaps between now and Week 18. 

For now, Sanders, fellow backup Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green have all become afterthoughts as it pertains to the Browns' quarterback situation.