Could Deshaun Watson Still Be a Brown in 2027? Owner Jimmy Haslam Leaves the Door Open

The Big Picture: A Second Chance?

Imagine you traded your favorite toy for a shiny new one, but the new toy broke right away. You’d probably be pretty upset, right? Well, that’s kind of what happened with the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Last year, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam admitted the Watson trade was "a big swing and miss" – baseball talk for "we took a huge risk and it didn’t work out." But now? He’s not ruling out keeping Watson around even after his current contract ends in 2026.

Important Point:
Haslam said "yes" when asked if Watson could return in 2027. He emphasized there are "all kinds of possibilities" – but first, Watson has to win the starting job and play well in practice and preseason games.

How We Got Here: The Watson Timeline

1. March 2022: The Browns trade for Deshaun Watson and immediately sign him to a 5-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract – the biggest guarantee in NFL history at the time.
2. 2022 Season: Watson misses the first 11 games due to an NFL suspension (off-field issues) and struggles in his 6 starts.
3. 2023 Season: Watson plays only 6 games before a season-ending shoulder surgery.
4. 2024 Season: Watson suffers a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 7.
5. Now (2025 Offseason): Watson is 30 years old, entering the 4th year of his deal, and has played just 19 games in 3 years.

What Haslam Said (In Plain English)

During a recent chat with reporters, Haslam laid out the situation simply:

• The Competition is Open: New offensive coordinator Todd Monken will decide who starts. Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and rookie Kenny Pickett will all compete.
• Preseason Matters: Haslam expects the quarterbacks to play in exhibition games so the coaches can evaluate them fairly.
• Performance Rules All: "If Watson wins the job and plays well, why wouldn’t the Browns think about bringing him back?"

Key Takeaway:
Winning cures everything. Haslam is signaling that if Watson plays like a franchise QB in 2025, the past (injuries, suspension, poor play, massive contract) might be forgiven.

Why This Is So "Browns"

There’s a classic Cleveland sports fear lurking here:

1. Watson finally gets healthy and plays well in 2025.
2. The Browns decide to move on (maybe draft a new QB, avoid the 2026 cap hit).
3. Watson signs elsewhere in 2027 and becomes a star again.

It’s the "Browns way" – the player figures it out after he leaves town. Haslam keeping the door open for 2027 might be an attempt to avoid that exact nightmare scenario.

The Money Factor (Simplified)

• 2025 Cap Hit: ~$64 million (Already on the books).
• 2026 Cap Hit: ~$73 million (Final year of contract).
• 2027: Free Agency. No contract. No guarantees. A clean slate.

If Watson plays great in 2025, the Browns could:

• Extend him (lower the 2026 cap hit, keep him long-term).
• Let him play 2026 (expensive "prove it" year).
• Tag him in 2027 (keep rights for one more year).
• Let him walk (risk him thriving elsewhere).

Summary

• Jimmy Haslam hasn’t given up on Deshaun Watson.
• He explicitly left the door open for Watson to be the Browns’ QB in 2027.
• Condition: Watson must win the starting job in 2025 and play well.
• New OC Todd Monken controls the depth chart and preseason reps.
• Watson is only 30 – young enough for a late-career resurgence.
• The Browns face a classic dilemma: Stick with the expensive investment or risk watching him succeed elsewhere.

FAQ

Is Deshaun Watson definitely the Browns’ starter in 2025?

No. Haslam was very clear: Todd Monken decides. Watson has to beat out Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Kenny Pickett in training camp and preseason games.

What does "fully guaranteed contract" mean?

It means the Browns owe Watson every penny of that $230 million, no matter what. Even if he gets cut, injured, or plays terribly, he gets paid. That’s why the 2026 cap hit (~$73M) is so scary for the team.

Why would the Browns keep him for 2027 if he’s been bad/injured?

Because QBs are impossible to find. If Watson plays like a top-10 QB in 2025 (his age-30 season), letting him walk for nothing in 2027 would be bad asset management. Extending him spreads the cap hit out.

What happens if Watson gets hurt again in 2025?

The Browns are stuck. They pay the massive 2026 cap hit (~$73M) for a QB who can’t stay healthy. This is the massive financial risk Haslam is accepting by not closing the door.

Who is Todd Monken?

He’s the new Offensive Coordinator (hired Feb 2025). He was the OC for Georgia’s back-to-back national championships and the Baltimore Ravens (2023). He calls the plays and develops the QBs. His opinion on Watson matters most right now.