"Though quarterback Deshaun Watson is unlikely to play this season, the Cleveland Browns are planning to have him on their roster next season, league sources told ESPN. The Browns opened the practice window on Watson on Wednesday, but they did so with the idea to give him his first practices this season so that he would not be away from football until next spring."
"There are varied reasons as to why the team expects Watson back next season, with money being a part of it. Moving on from him would be costly, as the Browns would incur a dead salary cap charge of close to $135 million if they released him before June 1 and a $53 million cap charge if he were designed a post-June 1 cap casualty."
"As it is, Watson has a salary cap charge of $81.7 million in 2026, which will be highest number in NFL history. The Browns also believe Watson has added to their quarterback room and provided a veteran presence that has had value for the rookie quarterbacks. It is all part of the reason that he was back at practice last week and is expected back with the team next season."
Deshaun Watson is unlikely to play this season but the Cleveland Browns plan to keep him on the roster next season. The Browns opened Watson's practice window to give him practices this season so he will not be away from football until spring. The team intends to evaluate rookie quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, with Sanders starting his third NFL game and Gabriel having played early-season snaps. The Browns seek extended looks at their quarterbacks ahead of the 2026 draft, when they hold two first-round picks. Financial considerations make releasing Watson costly because of massive dead-cap charges. The team values Watson's veteran presence in the quarterback room.
Read at ESPN.com
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