Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has encountered a setback in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, prolonging his rehabilitation process. General manager Andrew Berry confirmed the news on Monday, stating that the complication was discovered during Watson's end-of-season physical.
While the exact timeline for Watson’s recovery remains unclear, the Browns will assess his situation further in the coming days and weeks to determine whether additional surgery may be required.
Rehab setback and extended recovery time
According to Berry, Watson has been dividing his time between Cleveland and Miami for rehabilitation. During this process, the quarterback reported discomfort, prompting the medical team to perform additional evaluations. While it's still too early to predict an exact recovery timeline, Berry emphasized that the setback wouldn't drastically alter the team's outlook at quarterback for the 2025 National Football League (NFL) season.
The Browns have made it clear that Watson's situation won’t have a major impact on their plans at quarterback, as they are preparing to explore both free agency and the upcoming NFL draft. The team is also positioned with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft, which could potentially allow them to select one of the top quarterback prospects available.
Browns' Quarterback search this offseason
The Cleveland Browns are expected to make significant changes to their quarterback room after a disappointing season. As the NFL’s leader in interceptions (23) during the 2024 season, the Browns’ quarterback play was a key area of concern. Currently, the only quarterback under contract for 2025 is rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who struggled in his two starts during the season.
Veteran Jameis Winston, who started seven games in 2024 before being benched, will be an unrestricted free agent. Additionally, Bailey Zappe, who became the 40th different quarterback to start for the Browns since the team’s return in 1999, is a restricted free agent.
Berry noted the team's need for consistent quarterback performance and availability: "It probably goes without saying that to reach that level of consistency, we have to have consistent availability and consistent performance at the QB position, as well," he said. "And that's something that's been elusive for us for the past couple seasons."
Watson’s injury history and contract situation
Watson's Achilles injury adds to his growing list of setbacks. The 29-year-old quarterback tore his right Achilles tendon on October 20, marking his second consecutive season-ending injury. In 2023, he missed the final eight games due to a shoulder injury.
Since joining the Browns in 2022, Watson has only started 19 games, and the team has experienced mixed results, including a 1-6 record in the games he started in 2024. Watson posted the NFL's lowest QBR before his injury.
Despite these challenges, the Browns are still financially committed to Watson. The team owes him $46 million for each of the next two seasons, with cap hits of $72.9 million in both 2025 and 2026, currently the second-highest in the NFL. To manage the financial burden, the Browns and Watson agreed to restructure his contract in December, adding two void years to push his dead salary cap into 2030.
Browns' future and staff changes
As the Browns look ahead to the offseason, they have already made changes to their coaching staff. On Sunday, the team fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson after just one season. However, head coach Kevin Stefanski indicated that no further major staff changes are expected.
Despite finishing the season with a disappointing 3-14 record, their worst since the 0-16 campaign in 2017, Berry dismissed the idea of a rebuild. "I don't envision an offseason where we're moving on from a ton of core players," he said, expressing confidence in the team’s direction moving forward.