AFC Notes: Deshaun Watson, Browns, Ravens, Steelers Position Battles

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Browns Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler , Browns QB Deshaun Watson is a “viable option” to start in 2026 for HC Todd Monken . Fowler believes there might be a spot for Watson to start somewhere in 2027 if he’s given a chance and plays well while staying healthy. The Browns enter their offseason program with a quarterback battle between Watson and Shedeur Sanders , plus Dillon Gabriel to a lesser extent. ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi and Jeremy Fowler cite a source close to Watson who said the quarterback sitting out last season was the best approach he could’ve taken: “[It was the best thing that could’ve happened to him. He wasn’t rushed back onto the field, and he had time to reflect on how he can get the best out of this year, and he’s excited.” ESPN, citing a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking, reports that Cleveland had interest in signing QB Malik Willis as a free agent, but not for the three-year, $67.5 million contract he received from the Dolphins. ESPN also cites a source close to Watson who said the quarterback has no ill feelings toward the Browns’ fanbase and understands their frustration. He was booed in his last appearances on the field and there was applause when he tore his Achilles: “He understands why fans are frustrated,” the source said. The same source said Watson wouldn’t be opposed to staying in Cleveland past 2026, which is the final year of his contract, assuming things go well this year: “I think he would be open to that.” Although ESPN’s source said Watson maintained a stronger relationship with HC Kevin Stefanski than outsiders think, he doesn’t feel Watson fit into Stefanski’s under-center offensive scheme: “ The way [Stefanski] wanted him to play didn’t fit his style, ” the source said. The source thinks Monken’s system is a better match to Watson’s skill set, allowing him to be “reactionary, see things and feel plays developing.” One anonymous NFL personnel evaluator also believes Monken can benefit from “low expectations” surrounding Watson in 2026: “This can be a good thing for Monken because he’s got a veteran that he can play with low expectations. If [Watson is] even 80% of what he was, that’s a win. But he just hasn’t played a lot of football and has a long injury history, so it’s hard to truly know what you have.” Browns assistant GM/VP of football operations Catherine Hickman and assistant GM/VP of player personnel Glenn Cook participated in the NFL’s coaching and front office accelerator program at the owners’ meetings in Orlando. ( Jeremy Fowler ) Ravens *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:502daa66-cc36-4659-bde8-07ef7b38ba71-7" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:502daa66-cc36-4659-bde8-07ef7b38ba71-7" data-testid="conversation-turn-16" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="assistant"> Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has been one of the leaders of the team’s offseason program, according to HC Jesse Minter . Minter said Jackson informed the team he would miss a few days due to a personal matter, but he is expected back at the facility soon. ( Zrebiec ) Steelers Per Mark Kaboly , Steelers QB Will Howard was second at quarterback on Monday while Mason Rudolph was third in reps. Kaboly adds the order could have changed when practice was closed to the media. Steelers HC Mike McCarthy on Howard: “He’s got ex…