Pro Football Rumors
Wednesday marks 21 days since the Browns opened Deshaun Watson‘s practice window. Rather than moving the high-priced quarterback to the active roster and allowing more practice work, the Browns are shutting him down.
Watson’s journey back from two Achilles tears will end today, as Kevin Stefanski confirmed Tuesday (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot) Browns will let his practice window close. This will prevent Watson from playing this season, though that was always a long-shot proposition.
This will bring a second full Watson season to a close without a snap taken. The Texans made their then-franchise QB a healthy scratch throughout the 2021 season, after Watson had requested a trade before an avalanche of sexual assault or misconduct allegations surfaced to effectively shut down the former Pro Bowler’s career. The Browns were undeterred, sending three first-round picks and more to the Texans for the embattled QB in 2022. That has proven to be a disastrous decision, as Watson was given an unprecedented contract and not come close to delivering a return on investment.
After submitting woeful on-field work to start the 2024 season, Watson suffered an Achilles tear. During his rehab process, the ninth-year veteran retore the tendon to set back his rehab. The Browns parked Watson on their reserve/PUP list after training camp, and although he did return to practice on December 3, it was never viewed as likely Cleveland would reinsert him into a game. The step toward that happening would have been an activation from the PUP list, which will not take place.
Shedeur Sanders is currently in place as Cleveland’s starting quarterback. The fifth-round rookie has shown flashes, but it is far from certain — regardless of Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry‘s futures in Ohio — the organization will prioritize the second-generation pro to the point he will receive a legitimate shot to become a long-term option. Sanders’ rookie contract does complement Watson’s albatross accord, but the Browns have two first-round picks in 2026. This could be an avenue for the team to finally make a big-ticket investment at a position doomed by the Watson trade.
More to come.
