Deshaun Watson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Cleveland Browns converted $44.75 million of quarterback Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 2025 salary into a signing bonus, creating $35.8 million of salary cap space. The team has already reworked Watson's contract in the past but is continuing to make moves to make it less of a financial burden in the future. Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract with Cleveland ahead of the 2022 campaign, but it's been a disastrous tenure for the former Houston Texans first-round pick. Watson has compiled a 9-10 record across three seasons behind 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. The 29-year-old's 2023 season ended with a major shoulder injury, and his 2024 season was cut short after suffering a torn Achilles. Since his in-game Achilles tear, he has suffered another Achilles setback. Watson is not expected to play in 2025, and it would be a surprise if he sees any playing time for Cleveland in 2026.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said at the NFL Combine this week that quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) wasn't doing "anything nefarious" when he re-tore his right Achilles tendon last month. There has been speculation that the Browns would try to recoup some or all of the $92 million they still owe Watson for the final two years of his five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal. That hasn't been the case, though, and Watson continues to rehab in Cleveland and is determined to play again after the devastating injury. Still, the 29-year-old is no lock to be able to play at all in 2025 and might not play again for the Browns at all. If he stays with the Browns in 2025, which seems likely, the best bet is that Cleveland will bring in a veteran (through either trade or free agency) to serve as the starter under center.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) suffered a re-tear of his Achilles tendon and had another surgery on Thursday to fix it, according to sources informed of the situation. The re-tear comes less than three months after his original tear, and Watson could now miss the entire 2025 season. General manager Andrew Berry announced on Monday that Watson had suffered a setback in his rehab, but now we know that it's a pretty serious setback. Even if Watson can make it back at some point this year, there's an even bigger question about how he would perform after dual Achilles injuries. Since the Browns acquired Watson, he's played in just 19 of a possible 51 regular-season games due to injury and suspension -- he was suspended 11 games in 2022 following allegations of sexual misconduct. If he misses all of 2025, he will have played in just 19 of a possible 85 regular-season games.