Andrew Buller-Russ
Four years ago, the Cleveland Browns “won” the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes by getting the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback to agree to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. But before they could get him to sign on the dotted line, the Browns had to send three first-round picks, a third-round pick, plus two fourth-round selections.
Those draft picks turned into DT Jordan Davis, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, WR Brian Thomas, WR Jalin Hyatt, RB Dameon Pierce, and TE Cade Stover. It’s been deemed as the worst trade in NFL history, which stings for a Browns franchise that was already desperate enough to make such a bold move for who they thought would be their franchise quarterback for years to come.
Yet, Watson has been anything but. He’s yet to start more than seven games in a single season with the Browns, and has only made 19 starts in three seasons in Cleveland. He’s completed just 61.2% of his passes for 3,365 passing yards, 19 TDs, 12 interceptions, while leading the Browns to a 9-10 record in the process.
Now 30 years old, Watson is headed into the final year of his contract, but he has a cap hit of $80.7 million. Considering how poorly he’s played as a member of the Browns, while given his enormous cap hit, some have wondered if the new coaching staff wouldn’t have any interest in having Watson as part of the new-look QB room.
Yet, according to first-year head coach Todd Monken, that couldn’t be further from the case. Rather, he sounds excited for the opportunity to work with Watson, and possibly even help the QB regain his elite form from his days in a Texans uniform.
“I think anytime that you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skillset at an elite level, I think you’re always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of him again. And I think that’s how you should look at every player. I’m going to let it play out.
Todd Monken on Deshaun Watson
I think it’d be completely unfair just like it would be in any classroom setting — be it a history exam — and all the students walk in, and before they’re actually given the exam, you give them a grade. Well, how would you give them a grade? Based on male, female, race, how they look, how they’re dressed? I think that’s unfair.
I know that I’m excited to work with him. I’m excited to work with all of our players on the roster. That’s what you’re paid to do as a coach.”
If there’s any semblance of hope that the Browns can still get some positive production out of Watson, then it’s up to Monken to figure it out. If not, Watson will be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season anyway, and then the Browns can finally move forward from arguably their biggest mistake yet. Or, maybe Watson can prove everyone wrong and get back to being the MVP candidate he was in Houston.
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