Deshaun Watson’s time with the Browns just keeps getting worse.
The Cleveland quarterback, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against the Bengals in Week 7, had a setback in his recovery, general manager Andrew Berry told reporters Monday.
“We don’t have all the details and everything yet, but it will obviously extend the recovery process for him,” Berry said, adding it’s “too early to tell” if it will impact Watson’s availability for the 2025 season.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is carted off the field after being injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, October 20, 2024, in Cleveland. APWatson alerted the Browns to the issue Sunday and has yet to publicly address it.
Berry said that Watson told doctors “something didn’t feel right” while doing his exit physical.
Berry added that the organization felt Watson had been “progressing appropriately” in the early stages of his recovery.
“I don’t want to rule out anything with a major injury,” Berry said. “We are still collecting all the information.”
AB gives an update on Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/2JcO5BGcqz
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 6, 2025
The Pro Bowl quarterback signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns in March 2022.
It came after Watson requested a trade out of Houston in January 2021.
“As we go into the offseason we have to look at everything,” Berry said when asked if he believes the Browns should evaluate their process of finding a quarterback. “We really do. And we want to make sure that we’re eyes wide open in terms of what we’re doing across football operations.
“That being said we have good people, we have good coaches and we understand how important the quarterback position is and that’s obviously going to be a primarily goal as we enter the offseason.”
Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass in the second quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on October 20, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty ImagesThe Browns have to No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in April.
Jameis Winston, who started seven games for the Browns, is a free agent.
Bailey Zappe, who started in Week 18, is also a free agent.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who started two games this year, is the only other quarterback besides Watson under contract right now.
Last week, ESPN reported the Browns will look at Kirk Cousins should the Falcons move on from him this offseason.
