For the Cleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson continues to be the gift that keeps on giving. But not the kind the team would want. They first signed him, hoping he could be a permanent answer to their quarterback troubles. However, all he did was start 19 games in three seasons before missing the entire 2025 season. Turns out, though, he recovering from his injury could be another troubling spell for the team.

Just yesterday, we reported that head coach Todd Monken is favoring Watson over Shedeur Sanders as his starter. The choice makes sense: Watson has performed at an elite level before, and with an improved offensive line, Monken could use his skills. But every coin has two sides, yes? While the Browns want Watson to perform well, that same thing could be a reason for their dead end with the veteran, according to the NFL reporter Ken Carman.

“If he goes out and plays well, we’ve got a whole new set of circumstances because I don’t think he’s going to want to be here,” Carman said on 92.3 The Fan. “If he plays well again, we’re going to go through it all. If he plays well and finds a way out of here to continue his NFL career, he’s going to be on the first train out of town.”

You see, Watson has become an example in the league for why a team should not give a long-term big contract to a quarterback based on their previous performances. And he had a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal. But under HC Kevin Stefanski, he could not perform well or stay healthy. But with this being his contract year, he has a reason to prove that he has bounced back.

It’s nothing new. Every player in their final year wants to give their best, and either give their current team a reason to extend them or give other teams a reason to sign them. But given that Watson has been an utter disappointment, both are pain points for the Browns.

What’s worse is that it only complicates things for Sanders.

Heading into 2026, many expected Shedeur Sanders to take over the starting role in his second season. He didn’t perform great as a rookie and showed many loopholes that the opposing defenses took advantage of, but he was the only QB last year to bring home three wins. He was also the only one to bring excitement back to Berea with his arm strength and footwork.

But once Cleveland opened voluntary minicamp, reports suggested Watson had the early edge over the young quarterback. His NFL experience could also play a major role, especially with Todd Monken entering his first season as the Browns’ head coach. However, that interrupts the essential connection that Sanders could be making with his team.

Sure, the 2026 season could still bring short-term success if Watson starts and performs well. But there is no guarantee that success would carry into the future. And that is exactly why the argument for starting Shedeur continues to grow stronger. Still, based on how things currently look, the 30-year-old Watson remains the favorite to get the starting nod.

Todd Monken addresses Deshaun Watson’s 2026 season

“Big swing-and-miss.” That is how Jimmy Haslam described Deshaun Watson during the league meetings last year. He was not wrong.

Since arriving in 2022, Watson has struggled to find his footing, largely because of injuries. And when he suffered two tears in his right Achilles, it genuinely felt like both his Browns tenure and maybe even his NFL career were over.

But fast forward to now, and Watson is back trying to make another comeback while the Browns appear willing to give him another opportunity. At the same time, it is clear that Todd Monken has no plans to hand the starting quarterback job to anyone automatically. But he recently made it sound like Watson could very well open the season.

“He’s made plenty of money,” said Monken, per Mary Kay Cabot. “I think we all know that. He’s had plenty of success and has had disappointments in his career. A number of things he couldn’t control from an injury standpoint. But to come back and want to battle, want to further his career, and change the narrative, I think that’s really cool.”

And that is what makes this situation so interesting.

Within a year, the same organization that publicly called Watson a “big swing-and-miss” now seems fully invested in his return. Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders still has time on his side, but the way things are currently unfolding, he may have to wait a little longer for his opportunity.

At the same time, what the 2026 season ultimately means for the 30-year-old will depend entirely on how things play out once he gets back on the field.