Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Hendon Hooker

Saturday, December 6, 9:14 PM

The Cleveland Browns are planning to keep quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on their roster next season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. While Watson is considered unlikely to play this season as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles that required multiple surgeries, the team has expressed interest in keeping him on the roster, noting that the 30-year-old's veteran presence is valuable for their pair of rookie quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Another big reason Watson is expected to return is due to the fact that the Browns would have to take on a dead salary of close to $135 million if they released him before June 1 and a $53 million cap charge if he was designated as a post-June 1 cap casualty. The record for dead-cap money was set by the Denver Broncos with quarterback Russell Wilson at $85 million, which they split into two years, but releasing Watson would cost the Browns significantly more. With Watson set to return in 2026, he's expected to compete with Sanders and Gabriel for Cleveland's starting gig.

Thursday, August 28, 9:49 AM

The Carolina Panthers came to an agreement with quarterback Hendon Hooker, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The former Tennessee Volunteer is set to join Carolina's practice squad after being waived by Detroit. The Lions selected Hooker in the third round in 2023, but ultimately moved on this offseason after he lost the backup QB competition against journeyman Kyle Allen. Carolina will start Bryce Young and brought back Andy Dalton, but will slot Hooker into their third QB spot heading into the season.