Former NFL head coach and offensive guru Jon Gruden sent Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson a stern message during the NFL Draft.
The Browns made a bold trade to acquire Watson in 2022 for three first-round draft picks and handed him a new, fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal. However, due to off-field issues and injuries, the deal hasn’t worked out, and Watson is now entering the final year of his deal.
With Watson in the final year of his contract, he’s set to compete for the starting job alongside Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. However, Gruden thinks Watson needs to go out and actually prove to people he can still play.
“You’ve got to be serious (about Sanders being the starting quarterback),” Gruden said on Barstool’s Draft Show. “Deshaun Watson hasn’t done anything in three years. Who else are you going to play? I’m an owl, who, who, who? Who’s going to be the freaking quarterback in Cleveland?
“I’m hoping Deshaun Watson is listening to me. I’m hoping he gets off the mat, dusts himself, and does what he’s supposed to do, and that’s be a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. The guy can do it; he’s got to get it together, and he’s got to go do it, that’s my opinion.”
Watson hasn’t played an NFL snap since October 20, 2024, due to injuries. So, Gruden believes the veteran quarterback needs to prove he can still play in the NFL and beat out Sanders and Gabriel for the starting job.
Watson is a three-time Pro Bowler.
Browns Letting QB Battle Play Out
Luckily for Watson, he does appear to have a legit shot to win the Browns quarterback job.
Cleveland hired head coach Todd Monken, and he made it clear the team will have an open competition. He’s also not using any preconceived notions about anyone and will let practice decide the starter.
“I think anytime that you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skillset at an elite level, I think you’re always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of him again,” Monken said in his press conference at the scouting combine. “And I think that’s how you should look at every player. I’ve said that. You guys have heard me say it. I’m going to let it play out. …
“I know that I’m excited to work with him. I’m excited to work with all of our players on the roster. That’s what you’re paid to do as a coach.”
If Watson can become the player he was in Houston, the veteran has a real chance of winning the starting quarterback job. But, for now, he remains in competition with Sanders and Gabriel.
What Picks does Cleveland Have in NFL Draft?
Although the quarterback battle is an interesting one, the Browns’ focus is on the NFL Draft.
Cleveland selected Spencer Fano out of Utah at ninth overall after trading down, and KC Concepcion at 24th overall.
Ahead of Day 2 of the NFL Draft, the Browns’ picks are as follows:
- Round 2, Pick 39
- Round 3, Pick 70
- Round 3, Pick 74 (from Chiefs)
- Round 4, Pick 107
- Round 5, Pick 148 (from Chiefs)
- Round 5, Pick 146
- Round 5, Pick 149 (from Bengals)
- Round 6, Pick 206 (from Bears)
- Round 7, Pick 248 (from Seahawks)
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