Deshaun Watson remains a member of the Cleveland Browns. Whether he’ll play another snap as the starting quarterback in Cleveland or elsewhere remains a significant question.
The Browns traded for Watson in 2022 and quickly signed him to a $230 million fully guaranteed contract that runs through the 2026 season. The trade has been a major miss for the Browns.
Watson has appeared in just 19 games over three seasons, throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. In 2024, he passed for just 1,148 yards and five touchdowns in seven starts before tearing his Achilles.
The Achilles injury — which Watson re-aggravated in January — is expected to keep Watson out most, if not all, of next season. The Browns placed Watson on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list ahead of training camp.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam previously dubbed the trade for Watson as a “swing and miss” in March. Haslam didn’t provide more clarity on what the future holds for the former Pro Bowl quarterback in Cleveland.
“I think it’s premature. I don’t think anything’s changed on Deshaun’s situation since we were together in March,” Haslam said on Tuesday when asked if Watson will ever play for the Browns again. “I will say this, he’s working hard in his rehab and that’s our focus is to get him well and healthy and then we’ll make decisions after that.”
Deshaun Watson Remains Presence for Browns Despite Injury
The Browns are staging a four-man competition for the starting quarterback job that includes veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, as well as rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
But Watson is the fifth quarterback on the roster and has remained around the facility working out and sitting in on meetings. Gabriel praised Watson for being available as a resource.
“He’s been a guy I’ve connected with as well, and he’s actually a guy I sit by in our O-line meetings, even in our offensive unit meetings,” Gabriel said during minicamp. “So just being able to be around him and nudge him and ask a question, whether it’s for confirmation or his thought, but also when we’re talking through concepts, I think it’s super cool that we do have five guys in the room that kind of can speak to their own experience and even Deshaun this morning, talking through a concept and kind of how he sees it in the red area. It can change the play in a big way, just how you think of it. So appreciate him a bunch too. Just sharing all his knowledge.”
Browns Must Evaluate QB Situation
The Browns are in a unique spot heading into the season. They spent two draft picks on Gabriel and Sanders, but also hold two first-round picks next year — ammo they could use to draft their next franchise quarterback. Before making that decision, the Browns have to evaluate the young passers on their roster.
“Absolutely. Absolutely. But I mean Kevin is aware of that,” Haslam said of needing to see the rookies in game action. “He knows how important quarterback is and he and Andrew talk about those kinds of things all the time. It’s a daily ongoing conversation.”
Haslam also shut down a rumor that has circulated in recent weeks that Arch Manning is the ultimate target for the Browns.
“I think if you know the Manning family, I would bet that — and I don’t know Arch at all, OK — I bet he stays in college two years,” Haslam said. “So I don’t even think that’s worth discussing.”
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