Deshaun Watson approaches Browns opener with no starting guarantee beyond Sunday

His $230 million contract expires after this season.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 91 min read

What happened: Watson says he wants to demonstrate he can still play and extend his NFL career. The Browns' Week 1 starter missed all of 2025 after a second right Achilles tear required surgery that January.

Why it matters: Sunday gives Cleveland its first regular-season look at Watson since October 2024. His focus remains on the immediate opportunity rather than his future, according to [ProFootballTalk](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/deshaun-watson-relishes-opportunity-prove-212546554.html).

By the numbers: Watson has played 19 games over the past five seasons amid suspension and injuries. His five-year deal, signed in March 2022, is fully guaranteed.

What to watch: Watch whether Cleveland commits to Watson for Week 2 after evaluating his opening performance.

Sources

ProFootballTalk 2026-09-09T21:35:04.569360+00:00

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