Deshaun Watson hasn’t played for the Cleveland Browns since October of 2024, thanks to injuries and a lengthy recovery process. But despite that, he could now be the favorite to play as the starting QB in 2026. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam recently said that Watson has a “great chance” of being a starter, which is huge news for the player, the coaches, and the rest of the team.
Adam Schefter was left in shock about this news. Although nothing is decided yet and Watson has to make his way through training camp, the very fact that he is close to being QB1 is a major twist. Just last year, Haslam admitted that the acquisition of Watson was a swing-and-a-miss, and there was serious doubt about his future in Cleveland.
Now, he may be leading the team at the beginning of 2026.
“I can’t believe that Jimmy Haslam said that Deshaun Watson has a great chance to start. Let’s just take the Browns’ owner at his word despite the fact that a year ago, Jimmy Haslam thought that Deshaun Watson, essentially, has played his last down with the Cleveland Browns. Big swing and a miss is what he called it. A year later, that big-swing-and-a-miss is stepping back into the batter’s box and getting another crack at the Browns’ starting quarterback job. Everybody thought that Deshaun Watson had struck out. I think it’s one of the more underrated, bigger storylines of the NFL offseason. Nobody’s talked about Deshaun Watson, and here we are, and we’ve got the Browns owner saying there’s a great chance that Deshaun Watson, injured, beaten, battered, out-of-the-league, troubled, is going to be their starting quarterback,” Schefter said.
More about Browns owner Jimmy Haslam telling reporters that Deshaun Watson has a “great chance” to be Cleveland’s starting quarterback this season, with @DanStanczyk:
🎧 https://t.co/RlFA5cC43y pic.twitter.com/fZFD2okvsk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 1, 2026
Just because these comments favor Watson doesn’t mean the job is officially his. He will compete against Shedeur Sanders at training camp, and Sanders might come out on top. Sanders will attempt to ride the momentum he was building at the end of last season, along with the goodwill he has earned with fans and fellow players.
Todd Monken recently stated that the Browns won’t split QB1 reps evenly during this offseason. That means they will choose a starter, and the backup player will have to fight to win the job. Therefore, if Watson is given the starting spot, Sanders will have an even tougher fight ahead of him.
Just a few months ago, the concept of Watson being fully healthy and starting for the Browns in 2026 seemed a bit far-fetched. But these comments from Haslam are significant because he clearly carries a lot of weight in the decision-making process.
It’s becoming clear: Watson might be on the verge of having one of the biggest comeback stories in recent NFL history.
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