Deshaun Watson believes he’ll eventually be the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback. Despite suffering another torn Achilles, Watson plans to rehab, stay patient, and watch what the Browns do in this year’s draft as he eyes a full return in 2026.
Cleveland traded for Kenny Pickett earlier this offseason, and there’s buzz about the Browns possibly drafting Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders with the No. 2 overall pick.
Watson, 29, recently took to Instagram to share where his head is at as he works toward a comeback. He knows most people are doubting him. Unfazed, Watson says he’s entering a new chapter.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson: ‘I’m Going to Be Way Better Than Before’
Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Texans, was traded to Cleveland in a blockbuster deal that sent three first-round picks and additional draft compensation to Houston. Then Browns signed him to a groundbreaking, fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.
Since then, Watson hasn’t met expectations. The Browns have faced intense scrutiny for the move between injuries and off-the-field issues.
Now, with his future hanging in the balance, Watson says he’s more focused than ever. He posted a video on Instagram from inside the Browns’ facility, sharing a message to his critics.
“You know the performance comes when your back is against the wall,” Watson said. “It becomes better because you really gotta lock in, you know, you really don’t have anything to lose, and I feel like that is where I’m at right now. Everyone is doubting me. Everyone don’t believe in me. Everyone don’t think I can get back to where I was.
“But I know and I believe that the work I put in, what I believe in myself, the peace that I’ve been channeling these past couple of months — I know I’m going to be way better than before. I’m prepared. And I think before I wasn’t prepared because, you know, I was kind of going with the flow of how the world was seeing me. But when you kind of get knocked down to the ground, you gotta stand back up and walk to the ring. That brings out the real fire, the challenge, the grit, that you have inside.”
Browns QB Deshaun Watson vows return amid another Achilles recovery: "I'm gonna be way better than before"https://t.co/Bvn26y67zs pic.twitter.com/3FIVlUm2PP
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 10, 2025
Watson Expected to Miss Entire 2025 Season
When news broke that Watson would likely miss all of 2025, Browns fans were frustrated—and understandably so. Even owner Jimmy Haslam publicly admitted, “We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun.”
Watson appeared in just seven games last season, throwing for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions while going 1-6 as a starter. Then came another setback: a re-tear of his right Achilles during rehab. He underwent another surgery to repair the damage.
Watson isn’t expected back on the field until 2026 unless he pulls off a miraculous recovery. Still, he’s determined to get back to top form.
“And the biggest thing is, really, just mental—my mentality,” Watson said on Instagram. “The things that I got to deal with from the outside and not taking everything personal like I mentioned before—taking everything and just bringing it full force and really just standing in front of it, face to face—the challenges, the adversity, whatever comes with it is gonna come with it. But as long as I’m doing it my way, I’m cool and can live with that.”