Browns QB Deshaun Watson Gets Bad News on 2025 Plans

Deshaun Watson might be healthy enough to play at some point this season but it’s still unlikely he’ll see the field with the Cleveland Browns.

Watson is recovering from an Achilles injury. He initially suffered the injury in October against the Cincinnati Bengals. Watson re-injured his Achilles in January during his recovery, requiring another surgery.

Despite the setback, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reported that Watson “could be ready to practice sometime in October.” Cabot clarified that statement during an appearance on Baskin & Phelps on 92.3 The Fan.

“What I meant by that line was some sources said he could be ready to practice by October, but it remains to be seen if the Browns would even think of activating him that soon after his second Achilles surgery,” Cabot said. “So, I think there’s some thought, Deshaun is optimistic that he can do that. He’s throwing the ball now to some receivers in the building.

“I think it’s an enormous long shot for Deshaun Watson to see the field at all this year. Right now, they have four quarterbacks who are vying for playing time, and I would think that you have to get through all four before putting Deshaun on the field. So, unless something really drastic happens, I don’t envision it this year. I think they will probably proceed with caution.”

Deshaun Watson Return Complicated for Browns

Watson’s future in Cleveland remains murky, and an insurance clause tied to his fully guaranteed contract could add a new layer of complication.

The Browns hold an insurance policy on Watson’s deal that would help recoup significant salary and cap space if the quarterback is deemed physically unable to play due to his twice-torn Achilles tendon. But if Watson is medically cleared the situation could quickly become contentious.

“If he gets a clean bill of health, that’s going to complicate Cleveland’s plan this year. They’d love for him not to play,” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said recently. “They have an insurance policy if he’s unable to play because of his twice-torn Achilles tendon. They’d get back a lot of cash, they’d recover a lot of cap space, and they don’t really need him. They’ve got four quarterbacks.

Watson is under contract through the 2026 season with a $230 million fully guaranteed deal, but the team appears to be bracing for life without him. With veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the quarterback room, Cleveland will likely opt to move forward regardless of Watson’s medical status.

Browns Publicly Moved on From Deshaun Watson

Watson’s time in Cleveland has been defined by setbacks, including a lengthy suspension and multiple injuries. The Browns have given the former Pro Bowler several opportunities to reclaim his form, but it appears those chances may have finally run out.

He has appeared in just 19 games over three seasons, throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. In 2024, he passed for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions in seven starts.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam publicly acknowledged this offseason that the 2022 trade for Watson was a bust for the franchise.

“We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun,” Haslam said at the league’s annual meeting. “We thought we had the quarterback; we didn’t. And we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him, so we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.”

The Browns have yet to establish a depth chart, with Flacco, Pickett, Sanders and Gabriel set to battle it out during training camp.