Why Cleveland Browns Being Open to Starting Deshaun Watson Actually Makes Sense

The Cleveland Browns are ready to embark on the most crucial part of their offseason: deciding who their starting quarterback will be for the 2026 season.

With a group of young quarterbacks—both selected in last year’s draft—still in the mix, the biggest question is where veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson fits into the equation.

Cleveland’s quarterback competition remains wide open, with speculation from both sides as to whether the Browns will roll out Shedeur Sanders or if Deshaun Watson is already penciled in as their day one starter.

It’s no secret that a bulk of fans want to see Sanders get the nod with a much more improved offense to work with, but the same goes for Watson, who had a relatively subpar offense around him mixed with shaky playcalling from their slew of offensive play callers.

There’s still plenty of time before the Browns have to make a decision. With recent comments from owner Jimmy Haslam supporting their hopes that he can still pan out, here’s why Deshaun Watson could realistically make sense to start in 2026.

How Watson Can Earn The Starting Quarterback Job

At one time, Deshaun Watson was considered an elite NFL talent during his time in Houston. While many years have passed since then, Watson has still flashed his ability to take care of the ball and position his team to win football games.

If his more than one calendar year of rehabilitation from a serious Achilles injury has been as successful as the Browns have made it out to be, then he’ll be ready to approach their offseason competition with confidence—backed by a much more improved offensive arsenal.

Watson will need to quickly learn head coach Todd Monken’s offensive scheme throughout workouts and OTAs. Considering his veteran presence, it shouldn’t be difficult for him to adapt and find a rhythm with an offense riddled with both youthful and experienced players.

In the past, Watson displayed his mobility and awareness, which translates to extending plays and using his athleticism to make smart decisions with the ball.

If Watson can display competent arm strength and pocket evasion behind their revamped offensive line, then his physical preparation should be atop his list as training camp nears. General Manager Andrew Berry emphasized this importance for Watson in order to succeed with their retooled offense.

Why Browns Still Have Confidence in Deshaun Watson

While the 2023 NFL season may seem like a long time ago, it isn’t as big a time jump to the current day as it may appear. Cleveland’s roster does look much different, but it can be argued that their offense in 2026 can be just as good—if not better—than it was in 2023.

That season, Watson finished with a 5-1 record as their starter, which excited fans who had anxiously awaited his breakout with the team.

Through three seasons in which Watson started just 19 games, he totaled 3,365 passing yards, with 19 passing touchdowns to 12 interceptions. These numbers don’t signal a must-start situation for Watson, but they came under a poorly run offense.

Another large factor is Watson’s cap hit, which is now a far lower number following Cleveland’s restructure of his contract in early March. He’ll still be owed $46 million guaranteed, but this is down from the original $80.7 million.

Watson is roster-bound regardless of his performance, so he’ll be tied to the team as either their starter or a costly-backup. In either case, Watson’s mentoring of their young quarterbacks was well-received by the Browns, and he now re-enters the conversation as a potential starter.

His rehabilitation has resulted in Cleveland’s belief that he may have returned to full strength, and with their financial commitment to Watson, the presumed quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will be followed closely heading into the summer.