Deshaun Watson was supposed to be Cleveland’s savior-the quarterback who would finally deliver stability to a franchise haunted by decades of disappointment.
Instead, two years into a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, Watson finds himself as the NFL’s highest-paid assistant QB, more active in O-line meetings than on the field.
What began as a bold gamble has turned into an uncomfortable waiting game. Watson is currently sidelined, rehabbing from yet another injury setback.
In the meantime, the Browns have quietly assembled a robust quarterback room, featuring veteran Joe Flacco, comeback hopeful Kenny Pickett, and two intriguing rookies: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Watson, for now, is contributing behind the scenes-but the franchise’s future seems to be marching on without him.
From Franchise Cornerstone to Mentoring Figure
While the Browns haven’t publicly pulled the plug on Watson‘s starting hopes, their actions are telling.
“The ship has sailed here… I don’t envision him playing this season,” respected Cleveland reporter Mary Kay Cabot told 92.3 The Fan.
Cabot didn’t stop there-she hinted that even his 2026 presence on the roster might be in doubt.
Garrett Bush of “The Barbershop Podcast” echoed that sentiment, adding that the team has already approached Watson with a quiet pivot plan: don’t rock the boat, help the younger guys, and maintain good PR. In other words, his current role-mentor, not quarterback-is by design. It’s less about football potential and more about optics and cap management.
Why not simply cut ties? Simple: money. Releasing Watson now would trigger an astronomical $80 million hit against the salary cap. The Browns can’t afford that. What they can do is bide time, keep Watson visible in a supporting role, and hope some other team bites on the idea of a “repackaged veteran” once he’s healthy.
Despite growing public frustration-including audible boos from fans during his latest injury exit-Watson still holds support inside the locker room. Defensive star Myles Garrett was vocal in defending him, stating, “We don’t boo injured players… especially when a cart is coming out.” Teammates like Nick Chubb and Jameis Winston also came to his defense.
The atmosphere within the team has improved, according to Cabot. While Watson’s decision to rehab away from the team in Los Angeles in 2024 caused friction, his presence this offseason has repaired some of that damage. He’s now actively involved in team meetings and working closely with younger players. Shedeur Sanders, one of the rookies, even said, “He’s a guy I sit by in our O-line meetings… it’s super cool.”
Still, no amount of mentorship can erase the weight of that $230 million contract. The Browns might appreciate Watson’s off-field contributions, but fans and front office alike are looking ahead-and Watson no longer appears to be part of that plan.
Cleveland hasn’t made anything official yet. But emotionally, financially, and structurally, the franchise seems ready to move on. The question now isn’t whether Deshaun Watson will return to form-it’s whether the Browns will ever let him take another snap in orange and brown again.
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