NFL

Has Deshaun Watson played his last game for Cleveland? Answering five key questions about Achilles setback

Jan 10, 2025, 03:01 PM ET

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns’ disastrous trade for Deshaun Watson took another turn Friday, as the team announced the quarterback tore his right Achilles tendon again and underwent a second surgery.

In a statement, the team said Watson’s “recovery time and return to play status is uncertain, and he will likely miss significant time during the 2025 season.”

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Deshaun Watson initially tore his Achilles Oct. 20 in a game against the Bengals. USATNSYNDICATION

How does this affect the Browns’ offseason plans at quarterback?

Browns general manager Andrew Berry, speaking at his end-of-season news conference Monday, revealed that Watson suffered a setback but said the development would not significantly impact the team’s plans at quarterback.

With Watson’s on-field struggles since coming to Cleveland — his 34.1 Total QBR as a Brown would rank only above the

Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry will be evaluating all possible options at quarterback this offseason. Nick Cammett/Getty Images

What are we hearing from execs and GMs around the league about potential trades or free agent acquisitions?

The Browns planned to scour the Earth for quarterback help even before the latest development with Watson’s injury. The setback will only intensify those efforts.

Sources have told ESPN that every quarterback with starter’s ability or potential will be evaluated by the Browns this offseason. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Browns must spend big, however. Kevin Stefanski has had success with many different quarterbacks over the years, and the firing of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey suggests Stefanski will return to his offensive system and take back playcalling duties.

With the team holding the No. 2 overall pick, the expectation among several other teams is that Cleveland will think long and hard about selecting a quarterback at that spot. — Fowler

With the No. 2 pick, will the Browns be able to find a rookie quarterback starter?

Yes. Luckily for Cleveland, the 2025 class features two passers with first-round grades from NFL teams: Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.

As the pre-draft process begins, Ward is the early favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Titans, according to sources in the NFL. Sanders is very much still in play with all-star games, the combine and team workouts yet to happen.

Of the two, Sanders would be a better fit in Stefanski’s offense. He’s a capable pocket passer who can play on time and in rhythm without the need to scramble outside the pocket to find passing windows. In an offense based on play-action and on-target passing, Sanders would thrive. His off-target rate was third lowest in the FBS last season (6.5%), which points to his pinpoint accuracy.

In a draft without quarterback depth, the No. 2 pick might be the Browns’ only chance to find a rookie starter. They likely will be heavily invested in Ward and Sanders over the next three months. And while Ward is ranked higher than Sanders in my personal rankings, I like how Sanders could hit the ground running in Cleveland. — Miller