Could Deshaun Watson start for Cleveland in 2026? What the Browns are really facing

Deshaun Watson has not played a single NFL snap since the 2024 season and missed the entire 2025 campaign, yet his name remains central to the Cleveland Browns’ plans for 2026. Not because he is clearly the future of the franchise but because the Browns simply cannot ignore him.At the heart of the situation is Watson’s contract. The quarterback is entering the final true year of his fully guaranteed five-year deal worth more than $230 million. His base salary for 2026 is $46 million, but repeated restructures have pushed his projected cap hit beyond $80 million, the highest single-season figure in NFL history.Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry recently confirmed that the team expects Watson to be part of the 2026 roster. Berry said the organisation has been encouraged by Watson’s approach to rehab, his preparation, and his involvement in meetings while sidelined.Those comments do not guarantee Watson the starting job, but they make one thing clear: the Browns plan to at least see what he has left.Owner Jimmy Haslam has already admitted the trade for Watson was a “big swing and miss.” Still, the financial commitment leaves Cleveland with very few options other than evaluation.The Browns already have two young quarterbacks in place: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Both will be part of the competition heading into training camp, but neither has established himself as a clear NFL starter yet.Because of that, Cleveland is not under pressure to force another quarterback pick in the draft. The Browns hold ten draft selections, giving them a rare chance to strengthen the roster around the quarterback position instead of offensive line help, receivers, tight ends, and defensive depth.The thinking is simple: whoever wins the quarterback job will need more support than Cleveland currently has.Watson has not played a full season since 2020. Between legal issues, a lengthy suspension, shoulder surgery, and two Achilles injuries, his career has been repeatedly interrupted. By the time the 2026 season begins, he will be 30 years old and largely unknown on the field.Still, Watson has drawn praise inside the building for mentoring younger quarterbacks and accepting a reduced role during his recovery.Watson could not be the best choice for the long run, and he might not even get the job. But because of his contract, experience, and the fact that Cleveland's young quarterbacks are still up in the air, he will definitely be in the mix in 2026.The Browns' season may finally provide some clarity to a story that has shaped the team for years, whether that clarity means a comeback or the end of the story for good.Also Read: Ravens fans slam Tyler Loop’s fiancée after painful playoff loss vs. Steelers