Deshaun Watson is determined to get back on the field but he may have played his final snap for the Cleveland Browns as questions mount about his future with the team.
Watson, 29, is expected to miss most — if not all — of the 2025 season after re-rupturing his Achilles tendon during offseason rehab, compounding the injury he initially suffered in Week 7 of the 2024 season against the Cincinnati Bengals. The latest setback required a second surgery in January.
Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com described Watson’s status on the latest episode of Orange and Brown Talk as “very confusing and convoluted,” adding, “I do not see him playing ball for the Cleveland Browns anymore.”
Watson’s stint in Cleveland has been marred by injury, suspension, and inconsistency. Since signing a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, 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, failing to surpass 200 yards in any game.
Browns’ Insurance Policy on Deshaun Watson Complicates Situation
Adding further murkiness to Watson’s future with the Browns is the team’s insurance policy in place for his contract, a factor that could create tension if Watson becomes healthy enough to play. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes it sets the stage for a potential showdown between Watson and the franchise.
“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,” Florio said. “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.
“They don’t want [him to play]. He could eventually file a grievance. Deshaun Watson would be arguing that he’s healthy and the Browns would be arguing he’s not. If Deshaun Watson were to win, the Browns would either have to put him on the roster, trade him, or cut him. It’s that simple.”
Browns Could Add Franchise QB Next Season
The Browns are trying to sort out their current quarterback situation. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are all in the mix for the starting gig.
Even if one of those quarterbacks emerges as the starter this season, they’ll have to impress the Browns enough to prevent the team from eyeing next year’s draft for a long-term solution at the position. Cleveland traded out of the No. 2 spot this year, sliding back to No. 5 while securing the Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick in 2026 — giving the Browns valuable draft capital to pursue a top quarterback prospect.
“I also do firmly believe that the Browns are going to draft a quarterback in the first round next year,” Cabot said. “There’s no way that they’re going to take two first round picks and not take a really good quarterback.”
The Browns are optimistic but all signs point to it being a rebuilding year. Cleveland has a projected win total of 5.5 — tied for the worst in the NFL.
