With each passing week, Deshaun Watson’s future with the Cleveland Browns looks harder to predict.
Cleveland made a massive commitment in 2022, handing Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million contract worth $46 million a year. However, injuries have kept the quarterback from giving the Browns the return they expected from that investment.
Now, Watson remains a major financial burden for Cleveland in 2026. Then, the Browns have Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and rookie Taylen Green on the quarterback depth chart. With limited room, one analyst believes Cleveland should keep Green rather than sacrifice his future because of Watson’s contract.
Browns Urged to Cut Deshaun Watson And Secure Taylen Green’s Future
On X, Joey O made his position clear and called for the Browns to move on from Watson. He also argued that Green deserves a chance to remain in Cleveland for the long haul.
“The Cleveland Browns should cut Deshaun Watson,” he wrote. “He can’t play home games. He isn’t good. The cap hit of having him/cutting him is virtually the same. And I’ll be [expletive] if Taylen Green has to be cut to keep Watson.”
Joey O then pointed to the growing disconnect between Watson and the Browns’ fanbase. “The relationship with Deshaun and Cleveland is too far gone,” he added.
During Cleveland’s preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills, fans booed when he entered in the third quarter. The reaction continued as he struggled to move the offense.
Watson finished 5-of-12 for 36 yards and threw an interception in Cleveland’s 31-7 loss.
Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders through 2 preseason games, per TruMedia 📊
Who should be the Browns’ Week 1 starter? pic.twitter.com/zsV43XGKYX
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 22, 2026
That game was Watson’s first appearance at the Browns’ home stadium since he tore his Achilles in 2024.
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Earlier in the week, he said the crowd’s response would not bother him. However, after this game, Watson said he felt disrespected by the boos.
Still, the reaction did not come out of nowhere, and Watson’s relationship with the Browns fans has never been simple.
The team sent three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks to the Houston Texans in 2022 before giving Watson a massive contract. However, four years later, that investment has delivered little of what fans expected.
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Since arriving, Watson has made just 19 starts for Cleveland. Injuries repeatedly disrupted his run, with a torn Achilles ending his 2024 season. That campaign also produced a 59.9 grade from PFN’s QB Impact Metric, the lowest mark among quarterbacks.
Amid these situations, analysts feel Green could offer Cleveland an intriguing long-term option.
Green did not play against the Bills, but he received plenty of work during the joint practice. The 6-foot-6 quarterback connected with Tylan Wallace for a touchdown before using his legs to score on a quarterback option.
Head coach Todd Monken has noticed Green’s development despite his limited opportunities. He praised the young quarterback’s approach and intelligence, saying, “That dude is smart as heck. I love that dude. It’s just hard. We got four guys. All he does is work, smile on his face.”
That endorsement adds another reason for Cleveland to keep evaluating Green. But for now, Cleveland’s quarterback competition remains open as Monken declined to name a starter following the second preseason game.
