For the remainder of this season, any notion of a Browns quarterback controversy has been, mercifully, laid to rest. Shedeur Sanders will be the starter, for better or for worse, and he now has three starts under his belt with four remaining. Looming in the background, still, is veteran Deshaun Watson, who is coming back from not one but two Achilles tendon tears, but is finally able to practice with the team.
And while he is not a threat to start, the Browns are at least giving Watson a serious look at the position he was supposed to have filled for years when he was first signed by Cleveland to a fully guaranteed five-year, $233 million contract. You know the numbers, of course: Watson’s injuries have limited him to 19 games in four years, with a 9-10 record.
If he does not get back on the field, then, the Browns will have paid Watson a hefty $26 million per win.
Browns ‘Getting Some Plays’ for DeShaun Watson
For now, at least, the Browns are treating Watson like he could play again. That’s very unlikely to happen this year, but he is under contract for 2026, and because of salary reconfiguration, he currently has a whopping cap hit of $80 million for that season. Thus, he will likely be in a Browns uniform next year.
Watson has been an active participant in practice, and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave says he has been getting some scout-team run.
“Deshaun’s doing more out there on the practice field, more than he did last week, and we’re going to have some good drills with him today and get him some plays,” Musgrave said. “And so, I think each and every day he’s doing more, and it’s just great to have him out there. Like I’ve talked about, it’s been great to have him on the sideline for our young QBs. …
“So, just been a pleasure to have Deshaun here this year. I don’t know where we’d be without him.”
GettyQuarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave of the Cleveland Browns has been working with Deshaun Watson.
Scout Team, Simulation With Browns Coaches
Browns fans surely could have some fun with that final sentiment of that quote. For one thing, the team is 3-10 … would they be 2-11 without Watson? Also, if the Browns had not signed Watson, they might have landed, say, Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones or literally anyone who might have been an upgrade.
But Musgrave simply means, of course, that Watson has tried to help even as he’s been injured. And now, Musgrave said, he is trying to find ways to help Watson get back into game shape, by running side drills with him in hopes of getting some live-action experience.
“Some scout team and some simulation,” Musgrave said. “A lot of times when there’s a drill going on, we go try to steal some plays in the back and I try to play center, and we recruit some guys to play wide receiver just to give guys … it’s almost like having a meeting on our feet. It’s more active meeting than sitting in the classroom looking at the overhead projector.”
Browns Coach Reveals Deshaun Watson’s Surprisingly Increased Role