“His reputation ruined, his game gone” - NFL fans react to Deshaun Watson targetting strong return after Achilles injury

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson recently posted pictures of his rehabilitation on social media. Watson tore his Achilles twice last season and missed the majority of the campaign.

Watson played only seven games before getting injured, throwing for 1,148 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He had a 79.0 passer rating.

The Browns acquired Watson in March 2021, trading several draft picks to the Houston Texans before signing him to a five-year $230 million fully guaranteed contract extension.

The QB is ramping up his return and shared pictures on Instagram with the caption "4OVE x GODSPEED (Psalms 46:10)."

However, fans were not overly impressed.

"Nah, dude is just cruising on that $260 million guaranteed contract. His reputation ruined, his game gone. But man he really fleeced the Browns," one fan tweeted.

"The Browns will definitely be moving on after they draft a QB…" a fan wrote.

"He hasn't been elite for a while," another fan wrote.

Some Cleveland supporters hoped for Watson's exit.

"As a Cleveland fan.. nobody wants him to step foot in that stadium ever again," one fan wrote.

"As a fan, his return is unwanted," a fan tweeted.

"He still sucks," another fan wrote.

Browns looking beyond Deshaun Watson at quarterback

Syndication: USA TODAY - Source: Imagn

The Cleveland Browns are making moves for life without Deshaun Watson and several QB prospects are in consideration for the 2025 season.

In a report on Sunday, Pro Football Talk analyst Mike Florio forecasted that the Browns would sign former Pro Bowl QB Carson Wentz to fill the gap.

"I think Carson Wentz will be the one that they bring in to ultimately win the job at a time when they need cheap quarterbacks because they've got so much money and cap space still tied up in that albatross of a Deshaun Watson contract," Florio said.

Wentz has a market value of $1.9 million per year, according to Spotrac. His last starting role was for the Indianapolis Colts in 2021, when he went 322-for-516 for 3,563 yards, 27 TDS and seven picks, with a 94.6 passer rating.

Kenny Pickett is the Browns' top QB on the depth chart. In 30 games with Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pickett has passed for 4,765 yards with only 15 TDs to 14 interceptions and a 79.3 passer rating.

The Browns possess the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft and could select a quarterback. This is their first first-round choice in three years.