ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said QB Deshaun Watson is in “great shape” and will get a clean slate to compete for the starting job. Watson missed the entire 2025 season after tearing his Achilles in October 2024 and undergoing a second surgery in January 2025. Still, Haslam noted that Watson "threw the ball well” late last season despite remaining on the PUP list.
"Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive-minded coach, who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful," Haslam said via Schefter. "So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now."
"He's in great shape, he'll be [in Cleveland] on April 7 when we start [the offseason workout program]. Let's see what Deshaun can do. We're all excited."
Schefter's report also indicated that new HC Todd Monken is giving Watson the "benefit of the doubt" and that Watson will compete for the starting QB role in 2026.
It’s no surprise the Browns are open to Watson competing for the starting job. He’s set to make $46 million fully guaranteed and would carry a dead cap hit north of $86 million, per Spotrac.
Since trading three first-round picks and signing Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million deal in 2022, he’s made just 17 starts and posted a 33.1 Total QBR.
The other two QBs on Cleveland's roster weren't any better.
Dillon Gabriel went 1-5 with a 31.4 QBR in six starts last season, while Shedeur Sanders threw seven TDs to 10 INTs and posted an 18.9 QBR across seven starts.
Watson, who turns 31 in September, has barely played since his 2020 Pro Bowl campaign. Injuries and off-field issues have limited him to just 17 starts over the past five seasons.
After such a long layoff and a major injury, we can’t count on Watson returning to the rushing form he showed in Houston, which was a key driver of his fantasy value.
Cleveland also enters 2026 with a first-time HC and an offense that ranked 31st in passing yards last season.
Watson (QB35) barely edges Shedeur Sanders (QB36) in our early best ball rankings. Sanders ranks higher in our dynasty superflex rankings, but this is a QB room to avoid.
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