​Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has appeared in only 19 games since 2022. The Houston Texans moved on from Watson following the 2021 season, and that decision looks increasingly prudent as more time passes. Even after attempting to leave his off-field issues behind him, Watson has battled injuries in Cleveland, limiting him to 19 appearances over the last four seasons and he has not performed at a high level in that span. This situation has put Watson in a potentially precarious position as he tries to reignite his career.
Watson’s post-Houston career in Cleveland remains uncertain. One constant for him has been his work ethic, and he has extended that dedication to his Browns teammates, engaging with several players during the offseason. ESPN Cleveland shared footage on X (formerly Twitter) on July 11 that showed Watson working with wide receivers KC Concepcion, Luke Floriea, and others during offseason sessions in Berea, complete with a highlight reel of the drills.
Despite his continued efforts, there is a growing sense that his time in Cleveland could be limited if his preparation does not translate into on-field success. All the time he has spent away from regular-season action could have allowed second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to progress sufficiently to threaten Watson’s hold on the starting job. If Sanders were to win the starting role, it would be a major setback for Watson, as he could conceivably go more than two years without appearing in a meaningful game. Such a gap could render even a strong preseason showing too little, too late for the Browns to risk keeping him in 2027.
For veterans trying to move past a long layoff, returning as a backup can be especially challenging. In Cleveland, Sanders and Watson have been linked in many conversations about the team’s quarterback depth. Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon offered a bold take that Sanders could win the starting job, arguing that Watson’s long absence would undermine his ability to reclaim the role and that Sanders could be too talented for the Browns to overlook this summer. Gagnon cited reports of Watson’s inconsistency during the Browns’ offseason program as part of his reasoning, while Browns head coach Todd Monken praised Sanders’ development as a fifth-round pick from the 2025 draft.
Gagnon suggested that it may be extremely difficult for Watson to revive his career after such an extended layoff, and he implied that Sanders possesses tools that could become “something awesome” in the league. While not guaranteeing that Sanders would put it all together, Gagnon believed the youngster would create enough momentum this offseason to make it impossible for the Browns to ignore his ceiling. As of now, Watson has a lot to prove in order to prove that he can still be a productive NFL quarterback.