The situation around former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson took a new turn this past week, when the Cleveland Browns traded Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals. Now, Watson’s trend of posting workout videos during his rehab strikes a slightly different chord.
A three-time Pro Bowler with the Texans, Watson has been anything but that level of performer with the Browns, and that is when he has been on the field and not sidelined with injuries.
Watson’s recovery from his latest setback, a re-torn Achilles, adds more intrigue for the Browns.
Former Texans QB Deshaun Watson Turns Heads Amid Clear Message
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on against the Los Angeles Rams.
“Deshaun Watson just posted a new workout video from the Browns facility,” ESPN Cleveland posted on X on October 9, along with the ballyhooed video of the QB. “Do you think he’ll play this season?”
Watson has not played since Week 7 of the 2024 season.
“Motion Picture [hourglass emoji],” Watson captioned the video that he shared on Instagram on October 9.
“I got NO TIME for the bs, I gotta get back and handle business!” Watson said in a caption of the same video, this time posted to his official TikTok. “MoreGLORY [praying hands and hourglass emojis].”
Watson still faces significant outside doubts that he will see the field for the Browns at all this season, though.
Doubts Remain About Deshaun Watson
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns is taken off the field on a medical cart against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Watson has played in 19 games in three seasons with the Browns, and he is 9-10 as their starter during that span. Given the information they already have on him, the Browns could opt against playing Watson.
Dillon Gabriel, the No. 94 overall pick of the 2025 draft, has been named the starter.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski named rookie fifth-round pick (No. 144 overall pick) Shedeur Sanders as the Browns’ QB2.
Watson, who is on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, would likely need the Browns to right their ship to see action for Cleveland this season. And even then, he would not only have to pass Gabriel and Sanders, but also practice squad QB Bailey Zappe.
“The Browns have two first-round picks for the 2026 draft and no clear franchise QB on the roster. Evaluating for the future at the most important position is part of Cleveland’s plans,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on October 4. “If Gabriel or Sanders emerges in a real way this year, that makes next year easier. If Deshaun Watson, who re-ruptured his Achilles this offseason and remains on the roster with his entire 2026 salary guaranteed, ends up on the field, that will add to the evaluation. Watson playing in 2025, however, is considered unlikely.”
Watson has posted frequent workout updates during his recovery, and the former Texans star appears to be getting close to working with the team on a true plan to return.
The odds still seem stacked against him suiting up in any capacity for the Browns in 2025.
Browns Have Reason to Keep Deshaun Watson Out
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during mandatory minicamp.
The Browns have taken a lot of heat over the years since not only acquiring Watson from the Texans in a trade, but then giving him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.
Cleveland can cut Watson after June 1 in 2026 – a period of the NFL calendar when many teams make critical roster decisions for financial reasons – and they would still reap no savings while incurring more than $80.7 million in dead cap for 2026.
The Browns have restructured Watson’s contract multiple times since agreeing to it.
Watson’s is a case of what can go wrong when you pay quarterbacks, even if their play warrants it, which is poignant as the Texans prepare for C.J. Stroud’s extension eligibility in 2026.
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