NFL Insider: 'Strong Chance' Deshaun Watson Has Played His Final Game for Browns

The Cleveland Browns are pretty much stuck with quarterback Deshaun Watson for now thanks to his massive contract, but that doesn't mean he'll suit up for the team again.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported Sunday that "there's a strong chance Watson has played his final game as a Brown." He said the "overwhelming belief" around the league is that Cleveland will use the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders.

Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot reported on Wednesday that Watson is "determined to make a comeback" as he recovers from his second Achilles tear. The three-time Pro Bowler is staring at an uncertain future, though.

If you put aside Watson's salary, the Browns simply don't have a compelling reason to start a quarterback who has battled injuries while averaging fewer than 200 yards per game in 19 starts over the last three seasons.

Should Cleveland take Ward or Sanders, it would signal a clear pivot. The franchise wouldn't make that kind of investment to just turn around and move Watson to the top of the depth chart again in 2026.

That's why the biggest question at this point is whether the Browns eat a ton of money next spring or simply let Watson's deal expire.

Designating him as a post-June 1 cut in 2026 would still cost $72.9 million in dead money next year on top of $26.9 million in 2027. When the price is the same either way, having Watson stay as the backup might be better than paying him almost $73 million to do nothing.

Either scenario backs up Graziano's report because an injury to Cleveland's starter may be the only path for Watson to see the field again in a Browns uniform.