Based on just four games, Deshaun Watson may have already established a market for himself as a free agent next offseason. Depending on how the rest of the season plays out, the Cleveland Browns may try to find a way to keep him instead.
Finally nearing the end of the $230 million guaranteed contract the Browns gave him after he was acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans, it was thought that Cleveland couldn’t wait to move on from the beleaguered quarterback and would have done so long ago if not for the salary cap ramifications. But after leading the team to three straight wins, that thinking may have changed.
At least that’s how former NFL player Breiden Fehoko feels, as he detailed a two-year extension offer that the Browns should make to Watson.
“The Browns keep on this trajectory, I am very much for a Deshaun Watson 2-year, $50 million type extension while still drafting a QB in the first round next year,” Fehoko said.
The Browns keep on this trajectory I am very much for a Deshaun Watson 2 year 50 million type extension while still drafting a QB in the first round next year.
QB & Edge for the Browns in the first round next year.
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) October 3, 2026
There are some complications to that idea, however. According to John Breech of CBS Sports, based on the multiple restructurings of Watson’s original contract, the Browns would owe Watson a $200 million salary in 2029 if he is on their roster next March. It is unclear if a new contract extension would avoid that scenario, or if Watson would want to walk away from that potential payout.
Cleveland will continue to carry a salary cap burden for two more years, whether Watson is on the team or not. The Browns and Watson have been publicly open to a new deal, despite how fraught the relationship has been since he arrived in 2022.
This year, it was thought Watson was being included in a quarterback competition with Shedeur Sanders because the Browns wanted to finally get something for the money they had already paid him. But head coach Todd Monken remained steadfast in his opinion that Watson gave Cleveland the best chance to win games, and so far he has been proven correct.
It is worth questioning whether Watson would be the right person to mentor a young quarterback who would be brought in from the 2027 NFL Draft to eventually take his job. Cleveland would also have to make some hard decisions about adding years to the arrangement so close to its end.
But those are thoughts for another day, so for now, fans should try to enjoy how Watson is playing without worrying about the future.
NEXT: Insider Says Browns Have Finally Solved A Long-Running Problem
