What happened to Deshaun Watson? $230,000,000 QB suffers another major injury 3 months after premature end to season

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has suffered a devastating setback in his recovery that could sideline him for the entire 2025 NFL season. The former Pro Bowl signal-caller ruptured his Achilles tendon again, just three months after the initial tear that ended his 2024 campaign.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport broke the news on Friday, reporting that Watson underwent surgery on Thursday to repair the ruptured Achilles. This marks another significant blow to Watson's tenure with the Browns since signing his record-breaking $230 million fully guaranteed contract in 2022.

The severity of the situation became apparent when Browns general manager Andrew Berry addressed the media on Monday:

"It is new information just learned in the past couple hours. So, I don't have everything yet," Berry stated. "I don't want to rule out anything with a major injury. We are still collecting all the information."

The latest setback adds to Deshaun Watson's concerning pattern of unavailability. Since joining Cleveland, he has appeared in just 19 of 51 possible regular season games. His struggles extend beyond injuries.

Deshaun Watson's on-field performance has fallen well short of expectations. He owns bottom-five rankings in crucial metrics like third-down conversion rate and passing production both under pressure and from clean pockets.

The financial implications of this injury create a massive headache for Cleveland's front office. Watson is still owed $92 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons.

Browns' quarterback crisis deepens amidst Deshaun Watson's status

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The re-injury raises questions about Watson's future effectiveness, particularly given how other quarterbacks have struggled with mobility after Achilles injuries. Both Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers showed limited movement following their returns from similar injuries in 2024.

Cleveland's investment in Deshaun Watson has yielded dismal returns. His stats tell a sobering story - just 3,365 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with a 61.2% completion percentage across three seasons.

The Browns face a difficult decision regarding their quarterback situation. Cutting Watson would trigger the largest dead-cap hit in NFL history.

Some relief may come through insurance, as most of Watson's 2025 earnings are covered, potentially providing Cleveland with a cap credit if he misses the season. Additionally, the Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, offering a potential pathway to selecting their quarterback of the future.