Deshaun Watson has missed the entire 2025 NFL season so far as he works his way back from an Achilles injury. The Cleveland Browns recently made a major decision to open his practice window for a potential return. An insider provided an update on what this could mean for his present and future with the franchise.
NFL Insider Clarifies Browns’ Intentions For Deshaun Watson
Watson is under contract with the Browns through the conclusion of next season, but there has been much speculation around the NFL that the franchise will move on from him. They selected Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in the draft this year, which seemed to support this theory.
NFL insider Adam Schefter recently gave an update on the situation that suggests the opposite. He reported on the Browns’ plans for their veteran quarterback after the Browns opened his practice window ahead of their Week 14 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
“Though quarterback Deshaun Watson is unlikely to play this season, the Cleveland Browns are planning to have him on their roster next season … There are varied reasons as to why the Browns expect Deshaun Watson back next season, with money being a part of it. The Browns also believe Watson has added to their quarterback room and provided a veteran presence that has had value for the rookie quarterbacks,” reported Schefter.
There are varied reasons as to why the Browns expect Deshaun Watson back next season, with money being a part of it. The Browns also believe Watson has added to their quarterback room and provided a veteran presence that has had value for the rookie quarterbacks. https://t.co/gTGuxnCpy3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 7, 2025
Developing Sanders and Gabriel should be their top priority, and they apparently believe that the veteran’s presence will help them do so. His contract runs through the end of the 2026 season, and according to the insider, they plan on keeping him on their roster until at least then.
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The good news for the Browns’ rookies, especially Sanders, who recently earned the starting job, is that Watson is reportedly not expected to get back on the football field, at least for the remainder of the 2025 season. This means that Sanders should continue getting in-game experience, while the veteran presence will theoretically help his preparations at practice and overall development as a quarterback going forward.
Gabriel has severely struggled in his opportunities as a starter, including ranking 41st of 42 qualified quarterbacks in PFSN’s Impact Rankings for this year. This eventually resulted in the Browns making a change to Sanders, who has been far from excellent, but has flashed more upside than Gabriel. Sanders has ranked 15th and 24th in the weekly rankings in his two career starts so far.
