The Cleveland Browns are entering a new era under Todd Monken and Deshaun Watson will get a “chance” to reclaim the starting job, per a prominent insider.
Watson landed in Cleveland in 2022 as the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade — a move that has largely backfired. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam even labeled it a major “swing and miss,” especially considering Cleveland surrendered a massive haul of draft picks and then handed Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
Since arriving, Watson’s tenure has been defined as much by missed time as anything else, with a lengthy suspension followed by multiple injuries limiting his availability. Watson is coming off a pair of Achilles surgeries and missed all of last season.
When he has played, the results have been inconsistent. Watson is 9-10 as Cleveland’s starting quarterback, and in 19 starts, he has totaled 3,365 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Cabot: Deshaun Watson Will Have ‘Chance’ to Start
Watson is now six years removed from his last Pro Bowl selection, but Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot believes Todd Monken is a fan of Watson’s game — and that the veteran quarterback could still fit the mold of what Cleveland’s new head coach is looking for.
“One thing I do know is that Todd Monken was on the opposite sideline when Deshaun Watson, in Baltimore, came off the bench with a bad ankle and fractured shoulder and beat the Baltimore Ravens 33-31 in that game. He knows what Deshaun Watson is capable of when healthy,” Cabot said on 92.3 The Fan. “And we also know this about Todd Monken: he’s about the mobile, dual-threat quarterback. Can Deshaun Watson even run anymore like that, coming off two ruptured Achilles? We don’t know the answer to that. But he will have a chance.”
Cabot sees the quarterback decision coming down to Watson and Shedeur Sanders, who started seven games this season as a fifth-round rookie.
“Deshaun Watson will have a chance. He’ll have a chance to show what he can do, at least throughout the offseason program. And so will Shedeur,” Cabot said. “I think it comes down to those two guys. Todd will take a look at them and try to decide who has the best chance.”
Browns Assure Deshaun Watson Will Return
Watson is entering the final year of his contract with the Browns, and cutting ties before the deal expires would carry major financial consequences for Cleveland. That’s a big reason why general manager Andrew Berry has strongly suggested Watson will be back with the team next season.
“I’ll say we’re very pleased with how Deshaun went through and attacked his rehab this past year, how he engaged with the team, what he did in the meeting rooms. Very pleased with the progress that he made in that regard,” Berry said. “Look, I can never predict the future, but right now we do anticipate him being on the 2026 team. But we have a long way to go before we get to that point with any player.”
In addition to Watson and Sanders, the Browns also have Dillon Gabriel under contract for next season. Cleveland is also expected to explore potential trades, free agency and the draft for quarterback candidates.
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