Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson wants to regain the starting role after being sidelined since October 2024 by a pair of Achilles injuries.
"I think each and every person that walks into the locker room should have that mindset that you want to start in this league," Watson said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "That's why we show up each and every day, to be able to go out there and be able to perform on Sundays or whatever that day is. So, yeah, it's definitely the main focus of why I work hard to be able to come back."
The three-time Pro Bowler is competing against second-year standout Shedeur Sanders for the job. Cleveland's QB room also includes 2025 third-rounder Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green.
Watson is entering the final season of a five-year, $230-million contract he signed upon being traded to Cleveland by the Houston Texans. The 30-year-old is attempting to salvage an underwhelming Browns tenure that's been plagued by a lengthy suspension, injuries, and poor play.
"It was a lot of ups and downs," Watson said of his injury rehab. "I learned a lot about myself."
"I was able to grow and learn," he added.
Watson also said that he's "fully healthy" and hasn't been 100% since injuring his shoulder in a game against the Tennessee Titans during the 2023 season.
In 2022, he served an 11-game suspension and paid a $5-million fine after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Two Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson, who settled 24 lawsuits filed against him.
The Browns have posted a 9-10 record with Watson as their starter. In January, they fired head coach Kevin Stefanski, who guided the team to just eight wins over the past two seasons. Cleveland then hired former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as its new head coach.
On Wednesday, Watson also dismissed comments previously made by team owner Jimmy Haslam, who called the Browns' trade for Watson a "big swing-and-miss" in March 2025.
"The relationship is great," Watson said. "(Co-owner) Dee (Haslam), Jimmy, they were at my wedding. We talk all the time. He calls me whenever. It happens and things like that. One of my favorite baseball players that I've been watching is Bryce Harper. Sometimes he swings, but he stands back up, and he gets another opportunity, and he hits a home run."
Monken shared Tuesday that he's unlikely to name a starting quarterback when the Browns conclude their mandatory minicamp Thursday. The QB battle will instead extend into training camp.
