Deshaun Watson progressed to the point where the former Houston Texans star recently began traveling with the Cleveland Browns on road trips for the first time in weeks. However, Watson’s hopes were dashed faster than he built them up.
After weeks of dancing around a decision on whether or not Watson would play again this season, the Browns finally have.
The Pro Bowl QB appears to have been aware of the decision, sending an early message.
Ex-Texans QB Deshaun Watson Sends Message, Gets Bad News
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns is taken off the field on a medical cart against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Watson is in his third season with the Browns, who acquired him in a trade with the Texans during the 2022 offseason. He has played in 19 games since then. Watson has not finished a season healthy since the 2022 campaign, which he began on the sideline.
After rupturing his Achilles tendon in Week 7 last season, Watson re-injured himself in January and has been working to get back ever since.
He has not given up hope.
“Credits haven’t rolled.. my story is still being written [writing hand emoji],” Watson, the No. 12 overall pick by the Texans in the 2017 draft, captioned a highlight reel of himself working out posted on Instagram on December 22. “MoreGLORY!”
Watson has documented much of his rehab process from a re-ruptured Achilles tendon in a similar fashion. This one, though, served as an ominous precursor to an update for the Browns.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski delivered the unfortunate news regarding Watson.
“We will not activate Deshaun,” Stefanski told reporters on December 23. “He will go to reserve, back to Reserve/PUP (physically unable to perform). But really proud of the progress that he’s making. Doing a really nice job in the meeting room, on the field, these last few weeks.”
The Browns opened Watson’s 21-day practice window on December 3, so Wednesday was their final opportunity to make a decision.
With Stefanski speaking on Tuesday due to the holiday scheduling, the matter is settled.
Deshaun Watson’s Expected Future With Browns ‘Disgraceful’
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns works out during mandatory minicamp.
Watson has one more year on his five-year, $230 million contract, which has been a significant talking point in discussions about his future.
It is a future that could include a new head coach.
“Kevin Stefanski might be in his final days as the Cleveland Browns head coach because of the Deshaun Watson trade and all of the catastrophes that followed,” The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd wrote on December 17. “The Watson trade was clearly the pivot point for this franchise in every way possible. That Watson will still be here, and Stefanski could be gone, is disgraceful, but that’s the perfect word to summarize the Browns over the last 25 years.”
Watson is guaranteed another $46 million next season. That limits the Browns’ options on how to proceed with the former Texans star. It is a difficult situation. Due not only to Watson’s recent run of injury misfortune, but also to his ineffectiveness when healthy.
The stage is set for another offseason of speculation for Watson and the Browns. Notably, Watson and the Browns will host the Texans at some point during the 2026 season.
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