Cleveland Browns GM Sticks by QB Deshaun Watson Amidst Rebuild Efforts
The Cleveland Browns' rebuild is well underway, with a new head coach in place after Kevin Stefanski's departure. As the team navigates this change, one question remains: what's next for quarterback Deshaun Watson? General manager Andrew Berry offered some clarity on Monday, stating that Watson would be returning to the roster for the 2026-27 season.
Berry praised Watson's progress in rehab and his engagement with the team, citing improvements made in the meeting rooms. While the GM acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the future of quarterback play in the NFL draft class, he emphasized the need for a thorough assessment process.
Watson, who has been under scrutiny for his performance and contract implications, will be taking up an $80 million base salary in 2026-27, with next year marking the final year on his deal. Berry's comments suggest that the team wants to stick with Watson, rather than parting ways and losing out on a significant chunk of cap space.
The decision to keep Watson comes as no surprise, given the substantial investment made by the Browns in 2022. A five-year, $233 million guaranteed contract may have yet to yield expected returns, but Berry seems willing to stick with the quarterback despite the challenges he's faced. As the team looks to rebuild and move forward, it will be interesting to see how Watson adapts to new expectations under a fresh coaching regime.
Berry's comments also highlight the complexities of roster management in the NFL, where decisions are often driven by a mix of factors, including contract implications, player performance, and organizational priorities. With the 2026-27 season fast approaching, the Browns will need to navigate these challenges while keeping an eye on the horizon for potential quarterback reinforcements via the draft.
The Cleveland Browns' rebuild is well underway, with a new head coach in place after Kevin Stefanski's departure. As the team navigates this change, one question remains: what's next for quarterback Deshaun Watson? General manager Andrew Berry offered some clarity on Monday, stating that Watson would be returning to the roster for the 2026-27 season.
Berry praised Watson's progress in rehab and his engagement with the team, citing improvements made in the meeting rooms. While the GM acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the future of quarterback play in the NFL draft class, he emphasized the need for a thorough assessment process.
Watson, who has been under scrutiny for his performance and contract implications, will be taking up an $80 million base salary in 2026-27, with next year marking the final year on his deal. Berry's comments suggest that the team wants to stick with Watson, rather than parting ways and losing out on a significant chunk of cap space.
The decision to keep Watson comes as no surprise, given the substantial investment made by the Browns in 2022. A five-year, $233 million guaranteed contract may have yet to yield expected returns, but Berry seems willing to stick with the quarterback despite the challenges he's faced. As the team looks to rebuild and move forward, it will be interesting to see how Watson adapts to new expectations under a fresh coaching regime.
Berry's comments also highlight the complexities of roster management in the NFL, where decisions are often driven by a mix of factors, including contract implications, player performance, and organizational priorities. With the 2026-27 season fast approaching, the Browns will need to navigate these challenges while keeping an eye on the horizon for potential quarterback reinforcements via the draft.
I mean, come on! The Browns are so invested in Watson they're willing to stick with him like he's their favorite meme 
. $233 million guaranteed? That's like me sticking with my old gaming chair even though it's held together with duct tape and prayers 
. Either way, it'll be fun to see how this plays out... or if the team just decides to "rebuild" again after a few years 
. It shows that he believes in Watson's abilities and wants to give him a chance to prove himself under new coach. But at the same time, you can't blame him for wanting to make some changes to the roster too - the Browns are trying to rebuild after all! 
. Maybe this is an opportunity for Watson to step up and show everyone what he's really capable of 
. And hey, it's not always easy making tough decisions in sports - it's like life, right? Sometimes you gotta take a leap of faith and trust that everything will work out in the end 
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. Plus, that contract is a big burden on the team 
. Don't get me wrong, he has his skills and all but I think they could've gotten more value out of their pick-up from the previous year 
... maybe some draft picks or a solid backup QB? 
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. And yeah, there's gonna be pressure on Watson to perform, especially with that massive contract coming up. It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. Maybe they're just trying to get him back in shape and stuff before the season starts 
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. i mean watson's still got some work to do in rehab but it sounds like berry thinks he's making progress 
what if hes not even a QB by then lol?
. Like, can't we just give Watson some time to figure things out? He's been through a lot, rehab and all that. I get it, they've invested big in him, but does that mean he has to perform miracles on the field too? 
The GM's comments seem pretty optimistic, but what if he's being too nice for his own good? What if Watson just isn't the QB this team needs? 
. And now they gotta figure out how to make this work under the new coach? 
It's gonna be interesting to see how it all plays out, especially with Watson's contract being like a ticking time bomb 
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. Of course, there are concerns about his contract and production, but Berry seems like he knows what's up 
. Maybe they'll finally get that magic formula 
?
. And let's be real, an $80 million base salary is just insane 
.
The GM making moves to stick by him suggests there's still hope for this rebuild effort 
The team's already invested so much in him, they're just gonna keep pouring good cash down the drain. And what about the draft picks? Where are those gonna go? We'll just see how Watson adapts under new coaching, and probably still end up disappointing us