The Cleveland Browns enter the offseason facing significant questions about their quarterback position, largely due to the uncertainty surrounding the future performance of Deshaun Watson.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Watson’s contract has been restructured, relieving some of the salary cap burden on the team and confirming his place on the roster for the coming season. The Browns are expected to add another quarterback through free agency or the draft to create competition for the starting role. Watson is guaranteed $92 million over the next two seasons, but the restructuring indicates the team's commitment to keeping him, at least for the time being.
Watson's time with the Browns has been overshadowed by injuries. The quarterback has missed 21 games over the last two seasons, featuring prominently due to injury struggles and disappointing performances. Compiling a 9-10 record as their starter, he has thrown for 3,365 yards and has recorded 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. This performance starkly contrasts with his statistics during his tenure with the Houston Texans, where he boasted a passer rating of 104.5 across 54 games.
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot noted Watson underwent season-ending surgery for his Achilles injury suffered back on October 20, 2024, against the Cincinnati Bengals. His recovery period could take around nine months, which may affect his availability for the start of training camp. With Watson’s future uncertain, the Browns have started to explore other quarterbacking options as insurance.
The NFL offseason presents opportunities for the Browns. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has reported the Browns could target Kirk Cousins, currently with the Atlanta Falcons, should he become available. Following his benching for rookie Michael Penix Jr., the future of Cousins, who has had impressive seasons, remains unclear. With familiarity between Cousins and Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, having coached him during their tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, acquiring Cousins could provide Watson with necessary competition.
The Browns' current situation calls for proactive measures, as they cannot afford complacency within their quarterback room. “Any veteran with starter's talent will be evaluated by the Browns,” noted Fowler, clearly conveying the urgency for Cleveland to make strategic roster decisions.
This urgency resonates beyond just Watson's recovery, as the continuous search for stability at this pivotal position has left Cleveland fans desiring more from what has been billed as their franchise quarterback. The Browns have already fielded 40 different starters since their return to the NFL, highlighting their historic struggle to maintain consistency.
During this time, other quarterbacks are putting themselves forward as viable alternatives. Notable names such as Bailey Zappe, Jake Browning, Malik Willis, and Hendon Hooker have emerged as potential targets either through trade or the draft. Observers have pointed out their impressive performances during the season, hinting at capabilities to step up as future starters.
Zappe, set to take the field against the Baltimore Ravens, symbolizes the challenges the organization has encountered. With Watson sidelined, fans are seeing yet another rotation of quarterbacks, which only reinforces the critique of the organization for its past decisions. The approaching offseason must be one of thorough evaluation and decisive action to avoid repeating past mistakes.
The statistics have not fallen favorably for Watson; he ends the year with troubling performance metrics, ranking last among qualified quarterbacks according to PFN’s QB+ metric. His Achilles injury isn't the first time injuries have thwarted his availability. Watson also faced setbacks from shoulder injuries earlier this season, leading to questions about his durability as he heads toward 2025.
Critics have characterized Watson’s contract as burdensome, often labeling it as “the worst trade/contract in NFL history.” The $230 million investment made by the Browns raised eyebrows initially, and with their current quarterback struggles, poignant questions loom about whether the investment will yield returns on the field. Adding to the narrative is the fact Watson has appeared in just 19 games, missing over 30% of potential regular-season games since his acquisition.
Despite the criticism preceding him, Watson has displayed moments of brilliance. Interestingly, there remains optimism among some fans and analysts who believe Watson can regain his previous status if he can stay healthy over the upcoming season. “The time has come for Watson to reclaim his seat at the table—this is make-or-break territory for his career here,” one analyst commented, reflecting the sentiment of many supporters.
Watson's 2025 season is pivotal not only for his personal career but also for the franchise's aspirations moving forward. Integrations with backups or competitive pieces can offer the team flexibility and support. Still, the Browns must weigh options carefully, ensuring they are not tied down to questionable investments again.
Overall, the offseason pathways remain diverse for the Cleveland Browns, beset by the unresolved nature of their quarterback situation centered on Deshaun Watson. They must navigate the treacherous waters of high expectations combined with what has been disillusioning performance to re-establish the franchise as serious contenders.