Deshaun Watson has played well enough this season that NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport now sees the Cleveland Browns quarterback as a realistic option to start again in 2027.
Speaking on NFL Network, Rapoport said Watson has shifted the team’s outlook after entering the year viewed mainly as a temporary option.
“At the very least, here’s what Deshaun Watson has done. He has at least put himself in the conversation to be the quarterback next year if things go well, if he stays healthy, and that is a significant step for him,” Rapoport said.
Expectations were different in training camp, with Shedeur Sanders positioned as the longer-term successor.
“I think everyone went into the season knowing Deshaun Watson’s going to be a bridge guy. He’ll either play well or not. Shedeur will probably play pretty quickly, and the Browns will move on from there,” Rapoport said. “Except the team is pretty good. Deshaun Watson has really solidified things in his career in a way he hasn’t for several seasons.”
Rapoport stopped short of calling Watson the franchise answer.
“Is he the Browns’ long-term future franchise quarterback? We simply don’t know that. If he leads to the playoffs or something, there’s probably going to be some conversations,” Rapoport said.
Watson strengthened his case Sunday in a 27-24 road win over the Tennessee Titans that improved Cleveland to 5-2 and kept it tied atop the AFC North.
He completed 25 of 36 passes for 308 yards with one interception and added a nine-yard rushing touchdown. It was his first 300-yard passing game with the Browns and his fifth fourth-quarter game-winning drive of the season.
Cleveland trailed 14-0 early but finished with 491 total yards. Watson threw for 202 yards in the first half, then hit Harold Fannin Jr. for a 36-yard gain with the score tied in the final minute to set up Andre Szmyt’s 32-yard field goal as time expired.
“He has something in him to be able to make plays when it counts,” Browns coach Todd Monken said.
Watson is in the final year of the fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract he signed after the 2022 trade from Houston. The deal averages $46 million per season. He missed all of 2025 after multiple Achilles surgeries.
If the Browns move on after this season without proper timing, they face roughly $86.2 million in dead money on the 2027 cap, according to Over The Cap. They can spread the hit by designating a post-June 1 release before the second day of the 2027 league year.
Owner Jimmy Haslam declined to discuss any extension before the Titans game.
“That’s way premature to talk about that,” Haslam said. “We’re just focused on beating the (Tennessee) Titans.”
Cleveland activated Dillon Gabriel from injured reserve Monday and waived tight end Carsen Ryan, leaving Watson, Sanders, Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green on the active roster. The four-quarterback group preserves flexibility while Watson tries to turn a solid start into a playoff season.
Through seven games, Watson has 1,482 passing yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions, plus 215 rushing yards and one rushing score.
He gets his next opportunity Sunday at Pittsburgh, where the 5-2 Steelers sit level with Cleveland in the AFC North.
