Deshaun Watson Ruptures Achilles Again – Which Ironically Could Improve Browns’ Quarterback Situation

In the three years following his record-setting five-year, $230 million contract signing with the Cleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson has proven to be one of the poorest investments in NFL history – if not the worst.

Watson was suspended for over half of his first season with Cleveland and missed huge chunks of the following two with season-ending injuries, the most recent of which was a torn Achilles tendon in Week 7. While playing, his completion percentage never cracked 64%, while his QBR hit a high of 42.9 last season before cratering to 23.1 in 2024.

He underwent surgery on his Achilles tendon at the end of October and was expected to be available for the 2025 season. On Monday, though, Browns vice president of football operations Andrew Berry announced that Watson had suffered a “setback” in his recovery.

“If he needs another surgery, and if he does need this thing repaired again, I think he’s out for the 2025 season,” said Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot at the time.

Ian Rapoport revealed Friday that Watson had ruptured his Achilles again, and underwent a second surgery on Jan. 9.

While this is perhaps the worst-case scenario for Watson’s availability, the possibility of his absence for the 2025 season opens up pathways for Cleveland.

For one, the team has his contract insured. If Watson doesn’t play at all in the upcoming season, the Browns would see $44.3 million in relief, which would be recouped in cap space in 2026.

Meanwhile, Cleveland has already been searching for a viable longer-term quarterback. They own the second spot in the 2025 NFL Draft, meaning that they could lay claim to either Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, the presumptive top two quarterback picks. Or they could wait for next year and choose instead to sign a veteran like Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins, coming off bad years with the Jets and Falcons, respectively.

Regardless of the choice, though, Watson’s setback will likely lead to a sizeable increase in cap space. And his performance over the past three years has all but ensured that the Browns will be seeking a replacement.

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