Browns Considering Extending Deshaun Watson Contract

Browns GM leaves door open to keeping Watson long-term if he plays well

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:53pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in muted tones depicting a football player or game scene, conceptually representing the complicated situation surrounding Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns.The Browns' complex future with Deshaun Watson is reflected in a deconstructed, cubist-inspired illustration.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Browns are not ruling out the possibility of extending quarterback Deshaun Watson's contract if he performs well this season, according to comments from Browns GM Andrew Berry. This comes despite the ongoing controversy and legal issues surrounding Watson, which have already complicated his tenure in Cleveland.

Why it matters

Browns fans have been eager to move on from the Watson saga, so the team's openness to keeping him long-term is likely to anger and frustrate the fanbase. The team's willingness to retain Watson could also impact their ability to attract free agents and maintain positive relationships with the community.

The details

In comments to reporters, Browns GM Andrew Berry said the team is "more focused on performance and best players" when it comes to roster decisions, and that there's "no rule against extending the player's contract if they perform and they do well." This suggests the Browns could bring Watson back for more than the original 5-year deal if he plays well in 2023. Berry had previously described the Watson trade as a "10-year proposition" when it was first made.

  • The Browns acquired Deshaun Watson in a trade in 2022.

The players

Deshaun Watson

The Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback, who has faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and is currently serving an 11-game suspension.

Andrew Berry

The general manager of the Cleveland Browns, who made comments indicating the team could extend Watson's contract if he plays well.

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What they’re saying

“We're probably just more focused on performance and best players. Certainly time horizon factors into that, but just with any veteran player, there's no rule against extending the player's contract if they perform and they do well. So I wouldn't necessarily box it into any one approach. It really will be performance-based.”

— Andrew Berry, Browns General Manager

What’s next

The Browns will monitor Deshaun Watson's performance in the 2023 season to determine if they will extend his contract beyond the original 5-year deal.

The takeaway

The Browns' openness to keeping Deshaun Watson long-term despite the ongoing controversy surrounding him is likely to anger and frustrate the team's fanbase, who have been eager to move on from the situation. This decision could also impact the team's ability to attract free agents and maintain positive relationships within the community.