The Browns are banking on Deshaun Watson's presence on the 2026 roster, even though he’s unlikely to play this season. ESPN reports that Cleveland opened a practice window for Watson this week, aiming to give him first-hand work so he won’t miss football entirely until next spring.
At the same time, the organization intends to keep a close eye on their two rookie quarterbacks, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Sanders is set to start his third NFL game on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, while Gabriel has already logged significant time in the early part of the season. Ideally, the Browns want to maximize reps for both rookies throughout this season to inform future decisions.
A core objective for Cleveland has always been to evaluate their quarterbacks thoroughly in preparation for the 2026 NFL draft, where the team currently holds two first-round picks. There are several reasons the Browns expect Watson to return next season, not least of which is financial. Releasing him would trigger a substantial dead-cap hit—potentially around $135 million if done before June 1, and about $53 million if designated a post-June 1 cap casualty.
The record for dead cap money belongs to the Denver Broncos’ situation with Russell Wilson, which totaled $85 million split across two years. Watson’s projected 2026 cap charge sits at about $81.7 million, a figure that would be the highest in NFL history if realized.
Cleveland also believes Watson adds value to the quarterback room by providing veteran leadership, a benefit that has helped the rookie signal-callers. This is part of why he returned to practice recently and is expected to be with the team next season.
What do you think: should the Browns lean on Watson’s veteran presence and cap implications, or should they prioritize maximizing the development of Sanders and Gabriel and reshaping the quarterback depth for 2026? Share your view in the comments.
