Deshaun Watson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) posted an Instagram video this week of him working out in Browns gear with a message for the doubters. "Everyone don't think I can get back to where I was. But I know...I'm gonna be way better than before." Watson's time as a Brown has been forgettable, with injuries and off-field issues marring his tenure with the team, and we'll have to wait longer than expected to see him again. After re-rupturing his Achilles tendon in early January, the 29-year-old is slated to miss significant time in the 2025 campaign. The Clemson product was once on an early-career superstar trajectory with the Texans. However, he's yet to recapture even an iota of his former success since holding out with Houston in 2021. Whether Watson will be a viable fantasy asset again remains to be seen, and he'll have some work to do before getting another shot on the field. It wouldn't be surprising if we didn't see him return to action in 2025.

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.