
Entering the concluding season of Deshaun Watson's five-year, completely guaranteed $230 million deal, the Cleveland Browns remain stuck with their embattled signal-caller. Cleveland acquired the three-time Pro Bowl passer from the Houston Texans in 2022 by surrendering a massive package featuring three first-round draft picks, shortly after dealing former top overall selection Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers for a conditional fifth-rounder.
Despite enduring off-field legal troubles and ranking among the NFL's bottom two passers in various efficiency categories during his tenure in Ohio, Watson retains the QB1 role under first-year head coach Todd Monken.
The Browns started their 2026 campaign at 0-1 following a brutal road loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, a contest in which Cleveland fell behind 31-0 as Watson surrendered five sacks and threw an uncontested interception. Frustration surfaced afterward when safety Ronnie Hickman deflected a question about quarterback stability by claiming such matters exceeded his compensation level.
With Mayfield set as the opposing quarterback for Week 2, Monken nonetheless stands firmly behind the choice to start Watson.
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