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Browns expected to make surprise decision on Deshaun Watson
The Cleveland Browns could have to make a decision on Deshaun Watson and his future with the team.
Watson is currently sidelined after he ruptured his Achilles again in January. However, he has shared videos of himself working out and looking good, which has some fans thinking he could return this season.
However, the Browns have Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders in the quarterback room, so it’s uncertain where Watson fits. But Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic believes Watson playing a game for Cleveland is a possibility.
“There is a world (he plays). Do I think that’s anyone’s intention? No,” Jackson said on The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show. Do I think that it’s likely at all, even if we get closer to that world? No. But there is a world. When he went on Active PUP instead of Reserve PUP, that made him eligible to play this season.
“When he went on Active PUP again on August 27, when they made all these meaves, that means that anytime after Week 4, he is eligible to return,” Jackson added. “There used to be a deadline where those guys had to be activated after a practice window; there is not anymore. It could be Christmas week, and they could activate Deshaun Watson.”
If Watson shows he is healthy, he could force the Browns’ hand to activate him, and Cleveland would then have to make a decision. But Jackson believes there is a good chance he does play a game this season for the Browns.
Watson is under contract through the 2026 NFL season as he’s in the fourth year of his five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns.
Browns GM Not Ruling Out Watson Playing
Although Cleveland entered the season with three quarterbacks, Watson could force the team to make an interesting decision.
Watson has been focusing on his rehab, and he looks to be getting closer to potentially playing. However, back in April, Browns general manager Andrew Berry wasn’t ruling out Watson playing for Cleveland this season.
“It’s too early to say,” Berry said. “I can say Deshaun has done a great job of rehabbing. He’s been in every day. He’s progressing and that’s really our focus, but it’s too early to say.”
Before the injury last season, Watson was 137-for-216 for 1,148 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.
Cleveland Owner Says Watson Trade Was a Failure
Although Berry wasn’t ruling out Watson playing for the Browns in 2025, Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam doubts he will.
The Browns made the bold move to acquire Watson in 2022 and handed him a massive extension. However, due to injuries and his poor play, the deal hasn’t worked out.
Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, Haslam spoke to at the owner’s meetings and admitted the trade was a failure.
“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. (It) was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee and I, so hold us accountable.”
Watson has appeared in 19 games for the Browns and has a 9-10 record.