Deshaun Watson used to be named among the best up-and-coming quarterbacks in the entire NFL. However, since he joined the Cleveland Browns, the recipient of a five-year, $230 million fully-guaranteed contract has struggled to reach the same highs, or even the same baseline as he did in Houston.
However, why is he not playing for the Browns in Week 18, and when could he return?
What Happened to Browns QB Deshaun Watson?
Watson tore his right Achilles back in a Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. An Achilles tear is widely known as a season-ender in the NFL world, with the QB’s focus quickly shifting toward a successful rehab to get back for the start of the 2025 season.
For a comparable timeline, QB Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles on Oct. 29, 2023, and was ready in plenty of time for Week 1 in 2024, though he did seem to lose a step production-wise (QB+ grade in 2023: 82.8, B-; 2024: 71.8, C-).
Watson was statistically one of the worst QBs in the NFL this year before his injury; according to PFN’s QB+ metric, he was 43rd (among 43 qualified QBs) in the NFL this season with a 45.1 (F), the second-worst season since 2019.
The Watson Era in Cleveland
Watson has been dealing with injuries since returning from his suspension dished out in Aug. 2022. Watson has only appeared in 19 games for the Browns in three seasons.
- Sept. 24, 2023: Watson sustained a rotator cuff injury in his throwing arm in Week 3 against the Titans.
- Oct. 22, 2023: Watson reaggravated his throwing shoulder in Week 7 vs. the Colts upon return. He returned in Week 9 and participated in two more games before being diagnosed with a fracture in the arm and was shut down for the 2023 season.
- Oct. 20, 2024: Watson suffered an Achilles injury against the Bengals. He has not played since Oct. 20.
However, even when he has been on the field, Watson has struggled. His production is down across the board compared to his early days with the Texans.
With Cleveland: Deshaun Watson has a passer rating of 80.7 with 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 19 games for the Browns in his career.
With Houston: Deshaun Watson had a passer rating of 104.5 with 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions in 54 games for the Texans in his career.
What Is Next for Watson and Cleveland?
The Watson Era in Cleveland is difficult to sum up for a variety of reasons. It can certainly be summed up as “not available to play” or more harshly “disastrous” or even “worst trade/contract in NFL history,” but we digress. Watson has missed 32 of 51 possible regular season games with Cleveland.
The Browns have rolled the dice way too much with Watson. The first time was obvious, giving Watson his contract and bringing him to Cleveland in the first place. But most recently, they’ve doubled down on the veteran QB.
The 2023 season ended unexpectedly: signing a 38-year-old vet in Joe Flacco quite literally off of his couch, who led the team to a final 11-6 record and a playoff berth, going 4-1 in his starts. With stability at QB and a Defensive Player of the Year in Myles Garrett, there were legitimate reasons to be excited about the team for Browns fans.
However, the team decided to part ways with Flacco and once again go “all in” on Watson, making sure there were not any questions about who the starter was entering the year with Jameis Winston being their insurance policy at QB.
Watson recently agreed to a restructured contract that will confirm his return to the team for the 2025 NFL season. Watson did not give up any of his remaining $92 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, and didn’t have his 2025 cap hit adjusted.
Rapoport added that Cleveland is expected to bring in some much-needed competition for Watson this offseason, with QB Kirk Cousins rumored to be a potential candidate. Cousins played under Browns HC Kevin Stefanski for two seasons in Minnesota before he became Cleveland’s head coach.