Embattled and oft-injured Browns QB Deshaun Watson suffered another setback in his battle with an Achilles injury, putting his immediate and long-term football future in doubt.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson ruptured an Achilles again and needed another surgery to repair it, according to a new report.
Watson originally tore an Achilles Oct. 20.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry said during a press conference this week the quarterback had a setback, and tests showed the new tear, according to the NFL Network.
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The surgery leaves Watson’s status for the 2025 season in doubt.
Without Watson, the Browns could turn to the NFL Draft or free agency to replace him.
The team holds the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and will have the opportunity to select top quarterback prospects Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward if the Tennessee Titans don’t take one of them with the No. 1 overall pick.
The trade for Watson a few years ago has hampered the Browns, who gave up a lot of draft capital and signed him to an exorbitant deal.
The Browns gave up first-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024, in addition to other picks, to acquire him from the Houston Texans.
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On top of the draft capital the Browns gave the Texans to acquire him, they signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million contract that is fully guaranteed.
With Watson’s play and off-field issues, the contract has quickly become a nuisance.
In his three seasons with the team, Watson has played 19 games.
Watson was suspended for 11 games two seasons ago after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during scheduled massage sessions.
Before getting injured this season, Watson struggled on the field.
The former Clemson quarterback completed 63.4% of his passes for 1,148 yards while throwing five touchdowns and three interceptions in seven starts. The Browns were 1-6 in his starts this season.
To make matters worse for the Browns, Baker Mayfield, who they replaced with Watson, is flourishing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With Mayfield, the Bucs have won back-to-back NFC South titles.
Depending on how things end up with Watson’s injury and who the Browns bring in at quarterback this offseason, there is a chance Watson has played his last snap with the Browns.
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NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport floated two veterans who could compete for the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback job in 2025.
The Browns and Deshaun Watson restructured the quarterback’s contract on Friday to create cap flexibility for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, according to multiple reports. It also made it so that Watson, who signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract in 2022, will be back in Cleveland next season.
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But whether he enters Week 1 as QB1 is still up in the air. Rapoport said Sunday there might be a competition held.
"I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s veteran competition. Aaron Rodgers, if he’s not on the Jets, would be one potential option, Kirk Cousins another," Rapoport said.
Rapoport added that Rodgers’ future with the New York Jets could hinge on whether they trade Garrett Wilson. He said that Wilson might want off the Jets if Rodgers is brought back for the 2025 season.
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Rodgers’ short stint with the Jets has been nothing but tumultuous. He has 3,511 passing yards and 24 touchdown passes this year.
Cousins’ time with the Atlanta Falcons appeared to be over as well. The team replaced Cousins with Michael Penix Jr. following a narrow victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Cousins went on a streak of zero touchdown passes and eight interceptions over the course of four games.
Cleveland will have some options at quarterback. They could choose to go the rookie quarterback route, since they will likely have a high draft pick in 2025.
Going into Week 17, the Browns are currently fourth in the draft order.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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