The Cleveland Browns could soon have Deshaun Watson back under center as the team’s starting quarterback.
Watson is out after he re-tore his Achilles, but he is closing in on a potential return. The Browns acquired Watson in 2022, but his time with Cleveland has been a disappointment as he’s struggled to stay healthy, and when he’s on the field, his play has struggled.
However, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com believes Watson could return to the field this season and expects the quarterback to be available come October.
“The Browns also have Bailey Zappe on the practice squad, and Deshaun Watson progressing in his rehab from his re-torn Achilles,” Cabot wrote. “Watson, who’s on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, is eligible to have his 21-day practice window open beginning this week. He’s not expected to be ready until sometime in October, but he’s eligible nonetheless.”
Cabot believes Watson could come in and start for the Browns and replace the struggling Joe Flacco. Although Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are options to start for the Browns, Watson is owed the most money, and if he’s healthy, he likely gives the team the best chance to win.
Watson has two years left on his five-year, $230 million deal.
Browns Unlikely to Make Quarterback Change
Cleveland has remained with Flacco as the team’s starting quarterback, and that will remain the case for the foreseeable future.
Despite the Browns’ offensive struggles, coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Flacco would remain the team’s starting quarterback.
“When we struggle like we did on offense, I understand the question. But it’s not our focus,” Stefanski said… “It’s never going to be about one person. We’re not doing a good enough job. I put myself in there as well. We have to be better.”
Flacco, meanwhile, addressed the calls for him to be benched after Cleveland was blown out by the Detroit Lions in Week 4.
“You can’t think about it when you’re a player. I know what I signed up for. I signed up to compete for a job and lead this team to victories,” Flacco said from the podium. “You know everyone is being evaluated in this league. That’s no different for any position. It’s disappointing to go out there and play the way we played today. Other than that, not worried about all that stuff.”
Flacco has gone 93-for-160 for 815 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions in 4 games this season.
Cleveland Owner Took Aim at Watson Trade
Although Watson still could return this season, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam admitted the trade was a failure.
Before the season started, Haslam said the team took a big swing on acquiring Watson and it was a miss.
“We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun,” Haslam said. “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 trade] was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee [Haslam] and I, so hold us accountable.”
Even though Watson could make an impact in 2025 and in 2026, it appears the Browns aren’t counting on it.
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