All articles tagged with #deshaun watson
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam says Deshaun Watson will get a fresh start under new coach Todd Monken, with Watson’s job potentially up for grabs in 2026 after missing the 2025 season with injuries; in-house contenders Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel remain, and outside moves could come into play as Cleveland maps its QB plan.
Cleveland GM Andrew Berry has used contract restructurings and dummy years to create current salary-cap space, but the Browns face heavy dead-cap charges in 2026 from departed players such as Bitonio, Conklin, Njoku, Teller, and the voided Watson years, with post-June 1 designations spreading some charges into 2026–27 and looming further hits through 2027–28; the strategy prioritizes a younger roster and draft leverage, at the cost of compensatory picks and long-term financial exposure.
The Browns are restructuring Deshaun Watson's contract again to trim the 2026 cap by about $35,760,000, converting his $46,000,000 base salary into a signing bonus to lower his cap hit to $80,716,514, marking the fourth restructuring of Watson's deal.
The Browns are restructuring quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract to create about $35.76 million in cap space for the 2026 league year, lowering his 2026 cap hit from $80.72 million. This is the last year of his fully guaranteed five-year deal, and Watson, coming off injuries, is expected to compete for Cleveland’s starting quarterback role in 2026, with the team continuing to pay for the deal beyond this season.
Berry’s comments lay out a 2026 QB competition: Deshaun Watson remains on the roster, while Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel will compete and outside options will be considered. Because of Watson’s contract, Cleveland won’t cut or trade him in 2026, instead exploring a restructure to enable a 2027 release while keeping updates through July.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Browns GM Andrew Berry said it’s too early to name a Week 1 starter, keeping an open competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson while weighing external QBs like Malik Williams and Ty Simpson under a new coaching staff after a 5-12 season and Watson’s costly, injury-plagued tenure.
At the scouting combine, Browns GM Andrew Berry said they will not rush a 2026 QB1 decision, envisioning Sanders and Watson competing as Dillon Gabriel remains under contract and the club could add another QB in free agency or the draft. Sanders must learn Cleveland's new offense and grow, Watson aims to return healthier, and Berry stressed that competition will guide the process with no limits on adding depth if it helps the roster.
With Rooney Rule scrutiny in play, the Browns’ coaching search continues among top candidates Grant Udinski, Nathan Scheelhaase, and Todd Monken (with Jim Schwartz a possibility), as cap maneuvers tied to the Deshaun Watson deal and potential Haslam involvement shape the process. The team remains focused on a long-term plan—centered on the 2027 draft—rather than immediate 2026 roster upgrades, and the Rooney Rule applies to OC hires as well.
Kevin Stefanski is taking responsibility for the Cleveland Browns' ongoing organizational dysfunction, largely stemming from a controversial and costly trade for Deshaun Watson, which has contributed to the team's struggles despite Stefanski's on-field successes. The Browns' management, including owner Jimmy Haslam, faces scrutiny over their decision-making and future plans, with Stefanski likely to find opportunities elsewhere in the NFL.
The Cleveland Browns have decided not to activate quarterback Deshaun Watson for the 2024 season, with plans for him to return in 2025 after recovering from his second Achilles injury. Watson has been making progress in rehab and team activities but will remain on the reserve/PUP list for now, with the team emphasizing his value and future contribution.
The Cleveland Browns have opened the practice window for quarterback Deshaun Watson to return after his Achilles injury, which sidelined him since Week 7 of the 2024 season following two surgeries.
Deshaun Watson demonstrated impressive agility and arm strength during a recent throwing workout at the Browns facility, with coach Kevin Stefanski and team officials observing, as he prepares for the upcoming season. Kevin Stefanski also announced Dillon Gabriel as the No. 2 quarterback.
The Cleveland Browns face a complex quarterback situation with Deshaun Watson's return from injury potentially complicating their roster and cap management, leading to possible disputes and a challenging season ahead.
The Cleveland Browns placed QB Deshaun Watson on the active/physically unable to perform list due to his Achilles surgery, expecting him to miss at least the first four games, and also placed DT Mike Hall Jr. on the PUP list for knee rehab. Wide receiver David Bell was moved to the non-football injury list, and Jaelen Gill was waived due to non-football injury.
An arbitration ruling found no collusion among NFL clubs to restrict guaranteed player contracts, despite evidence suggesting league management encouraged teams to reduce guarantees in 2022, following the precedent set by Deshaun Watson's fully guaranteed deal. The decision clarified that while concerted action was contemplated and invited, no damages were awarded, and league officials denied any wrongdoing.