Deshaun Watson’s time with the Cleveland Browns has been full of setbacks. The quarterback has only played 19 games across three seasons for the franchise and has dealt with serious injuries.
He suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 7 of the ongoing NFL season against the Cincinnati Bengals. Watson is expected to be sidelined until at least the next season’s training camp, but he recently shared an update on his health via his Instagram account.
Deshaun Watson Shares Update on Achilles Injury
Watson posted a picture of himself on his Instagram account with the caption, “Back On My Feet! MOREGLORY!”
His former teammate and current Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins commented, “Glory!!!” on the post to show his support for Watson amid the quarterback’s lengthy recovery.
Watson being able to walk without any support is positive news as the three-time Pro Bowler tracks to play next year. Quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins also suffered a similar injury last season, and they were able to start in Week 1 of the following season.
However, both Rodgers and Cousins have arguably had the worst seasons of their career following their return from the Achilles injuries. Watson was already playing quite poorly before the injury, so it will be interesting to see how he fares once he’s back on the field.
In seven starts for the Browns this year, Watson threw for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions, completing 63.4% of his throws with a career-worst passer rating of 79.0. The team went 1-6 with him as the quarterback, and there are growing concerns around the franchise regarding the 29-year-old player’s future with the team.
Watson Is Under Contract for 2 More Years
After getting traded by the Houston Texans, Watson signed a five-year, fully guaranteed, $230 million extension with the Browns. He still has two years left on his deal, and the Clemson product will likely be on the team next season.
If the Browns cut Watson after this year, they’ll have to take a dead-cap hit of $118.9 million in 2025 and $53.8 million in 2026. Per Spotrac, Cleveland is already projected to be over $19 million over the cap next season, and parting ways with their current quarterback doesn’t make sense.
The Browns are 3-12, and they will likely end up with a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If the AFC North team is in a position to get a quarterback of their liking, they may not hesitate to draft one despite having Watson on the team.
Miami’s Cam Ward could fall in the Browns’ laps and be a great addition to the team. With Watson still having two years left on his deal, he can continue to lead the team while Ward gets adequate time to get used to the NFL.
The trade to acquire Watson hasn’t worked out in the Browns’ favor. However, they still have time to fix issues, and drafting a quarterback will be the first step toward it.