Deshaun Watson’s time in Cleveland might not be over just yet. While Browns owner Jimmy Haslam recently called the Watson deal a major “swing and a miss,” general manager Andrew Berry hinted there’s still a chance Watson could return this upcoming season, even after suffering two Achilles tears in one year. “It’s too early to know for sure,” Berry said. “But Deshaun has been diligent with his rehab, showing up daily and making progress. That’s where our focus is right now.”
After Aaron Rodgers made a surprisingly fast return from an Achilles injury, there’s growing optimism among players that intense rehab could lead to quicker comebacks. Still, being medically cleared and actually being ready to handle the demands of an NFL game are two very different things.
If Watson does get the green light to play, the Browns will face a tough decision. His performances since joining the team have been underwhelming, and they might prefer to leave him on the bench. Some even argue Watson would be better off sitting out the rest of the year to fully recover and aim for a fresh start in 2026—possibly with a different team.
The Browns’ 2022 trade with the Texans for Watson is already being called one of the worst in league history. They gave up three first-round picks, a third-rounder, and two fourth-rounders, receiving Watson and a 2024 sixth-rounder in return. On top of that, they handed him a massive $230 million contract—all fully guaranteed—which has strained their salary cap and limited their ability to build around him.
Watson recently posted on social media, saying, “Maybe, if I weren’t built for this, I’d let it phase me.” The Browns hope he proves himself right—but as Berry admitted, they just don’t know what’s next.
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