The buzz in Cleveland’s building this week has centered not on the current depth chart, but on what role, or if any, Deshaun Watson might play the rest of the season.
After the Browns executed a surprise trade sending Joe Flacco to Cincinnati, many observers returned to one lingering question: could Watson, rehabbing from a torn Achilles, wind up under center again in 2025?
Head coach Kevin Stefanski sidestepped the topic during his Wednesday press conference, choosing to emphasize the immediate challenges ahead instead.
“I understand the question,” Stefanski told reporters. “But I’m so focused on this week.” He added, “He’s doing an excellent job with his rehab. We haven’t seen him as part of the throwing process with the team and those types of things. But he’s working very hard.”
Stefanski also downplayed how much stock he lends to Watson‘s social media updates, though he acknowledged the broader value of his presence in meetings and rehab work.
“He’s doing a great job in the meeting room,” Stefanski added. “I’m not so concerned about what our guys are posting on social media. But, maybe that’s just me.”
Watson‘s contract runs through the 2026 season, giving the Browns some leeway to explore options without fully closing the door on him.
Still, his 2024 campaign was cut short by injury, and his performance before that was inconsistent. Last year, he started seven games, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions, while the Browns went 1-6 in his starts.
The Flacco trade forces new light onto Cleveland’s quarterback picture, one now populated by Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and others pushing for a shot. With Flacco out of the picture, the Browns’ current roster of QBs is leaner and more speculative.
Uncertainty at quarterback
Stefanski‘s refusal to endorse Watson as a starter this year underscores both the fragility of Watson‘s health and the uncertainty within the roster. The Browns will need clarity soon, especially with younger passers waiting in the wings to take control of the offense.
Watson‘s rehab will be closely monitored. Until he begins throwing with the team, there is no guarantee he will be physically ready to return, let alone ready to handle full workload.
Meanwhile, Gabriel and Sanders represent the Browns‘ bet on the future, with both players actively being evaluated in practices, meetings, and game planning.
Cleveland’s front office now faces a delicate balance: they must manage Watson‘s contract and the optics of his recovery while extracting performance under pressure.
However, the team has not ruled Watson out for good. Stefanski‘s cautious posture suggests that a door remains open, even if only slightly cracked.
