The Cleveland Browns confirmed that quarterback Deshaun Watson will remain on the physically unable to perform list for the entirety of the 2025 season. Coach Kevin Stefanski announced the decision on Tuesday, stating that Watson’s recovery from a torn right Achilles tendon sustained in October 2024 will not allow him to compete this year. This decision follows Watson’s second surgery in January after the initial tear was re-injured.
The deadline for activating Watson from the PUP list was Tuesday, coinciding with the closure of his practice window. Since then, he has participated in individual drills and contributed to the scout team offense during practice. Watson spent the initial three months of the season on the PUP list, with his practice window officially opened on December 3.
Stefanski expressed confidence in Watson’s efforts, saying, “He’s done a great job with everything that’s been asked of him. I’ve gotten to see him work so hard, whether it’s in the training room, by himself in the indoor with the trainers, on the practice field now for the last bit. Just felt like this was the right decision for him and for us.” The coach emphasized that Watson’s focus will now be on regaining his health and strength.
Despite Watson’s absence this season, reports indicate that the Browns intend to keep him on their roster for the 2026 season. Adam Schefter from ESPN noted that Cleveland opened Watson’s practice window to help reintegrate him into football activities before next spring, despite his unlikely participation in any games this year.
Watson, 30, is under a five-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million, with one year remaining. The Browns are obligated to pay him $46 million in salary for the upcoming season. His cap hit for the 2026 season is projected to be $80.7 million, the highest in the NFL. Should the Browns decide to release Watson before June 1, they would incur a record dead cap charge of $131 million. If they opt for a post-June 1 designation, the dead cap would be split into $80 million for 2026 and $50 million for 2027, surpassing the previous record held by the Denver Broncos at $85 million.
Watson’s time with the Browns has been marred by both injuries and a suspension. He has only played in 19 games since being traded from the Houston Texans in March 2022, when the Browns sent three first-round draft picks and signed him to the lucrative contract. His tenure began with an 11-game suspension following allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct involving more than two dozen women during massage sessions. Additionally, Watson missed the final eight games of the 2023 season due to shoulder surgery.
Since joining the Browns, Watson has struggled to find his rhythm, recording a Total QBR of 33.1. This statistic would rank him just above Cam Ward, the rookie quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, if he had played enough games to qualify. In March, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam referred to the trade for Watson as a “big swing-and-miss,” indicating the high expectations that have not been met.
While Watson remains sidelined, rookie Shedeur Sanders has taken over as the starting quarterback for the Browns, leading them through the final stretch of the season. Cleveland currently holds a record of 3-10 and is positioned with a 24.2% chance of securing the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as reported by ESPN Analytics.
