Deshaun Watson is heading into a pivotal year with the Browns, but the conversation around him this weekend had less to do with redemption and more to do with expectation.
Watson, who is in the final season of his five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal, told reporters on Saturday that he would be open to another extension in Cleveland. He made it clear he has no hard feelings about the city or the team.
"I don't have no bad feelings towards Cleveland. I love Cleveland," Watson said.
"Me and my wife, we've got a house on the east side. We're here all the time.
We're here in the summer. ... If the opportunity (for another extension) shows up, we'll see where it goes."
That idea did not sit well with NFL analyst Warren Sharp, who blasted Watson on Sunday for even floating the possibility after what Cleveland has gotten from the deal so far.
"Thinking Cleveland would give another cent after getting literally nothing from $230,000,000 is pure narcissism," Sharp tweeted.
The backlash comes as Watson tries to work his way back after missing the entire 2025 season because he reaggravated his Achilles tendon injury. He has been preparing for a return this year and is competing with Shedeur Sanders for the Browns’ starting quarterback job.
The numbers tell the story of why the scrutiny has stuck. In four seasons, Watson has thrown for just 3,365 yards and 19 touchdowns. Before arriving in Cleveland, he spent four years with the Houston Texans, where he produced 14,539 passing yards and 104 touchdowns after being drafted No. 12 in 2017.
There was also some on-field unease at Browns training camp on Day 1, when Watson threw two straight interceptions. That raised more questions about his grip on the quarterback battle heading toward 2026.
Coach Todd Monken, who replaced Kevin Stefanski in January, addressed the miscues and didn’t sound alarmed.
"That's no fun for him or us. I mean, our offense," Monken said.
"First of all, that was a great play by Denzel Ward. I was standing right behind it, and I thought it was an elite throw.
Deshaun moving to his left. He outleveraged the backer to get it there.
Now we drifted a little on the over route, but Denzel with his speed.
" I talked to my assistant. Who asked about Denzel yesterday?
Can't be late with throws because of his tracking speed. Now I was more down the field, but that showed up on that play...
So really, neither one in my mind was really a bonehead decision. It really wasn't.
It was unfortunate. Still a turnover, that's the way it is."
The Browns open their season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13.
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Gabriels strong showings in limited work have started to register with the staff, and his route into the battle could get a little wider if that continues. Head coach Todd Monken has made it clear the job will go to whoever gives Cleveland the best chance to win in Week 1, which keeps the door open for a camp race that still feels far from settled. [Read more 🡒]
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