Deshaun Watson’s comeback could trigger a nuclear fallout in Cleveland
The Browns named Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback, but Deshaun Watson isn’t going anywhere, and their QB drama may be about to get messier.
The Cleveland Browns had a four-way quarterback battle going on amongst veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, although it was always believed that Flacco would be given the starting job. On Monday, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski made it official, naming Flacco the QB1.
However, there is a fifth quarterback they have been ignoring this whole time - Deshaun Watson. Watson suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon last season, undergoing surgery in late October, then re-ruptured it in January and had to have a second surgery.
With all that in mind, it was assumed that Watson would miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 NFL season. But if what he’s been posting to social media lately is any indication of what’s to come, the Browns’ quarterback situation is about to get even messier.
Is Deshaun Watson about to force the Browns’ hand?
Cleveland’s quarterback situation is turning into a high-stakes standoff. Despite Flacco being named the Week 1 starter, Watson is sharing workout updates that suggest he’s nearly ready to return from injury.
The Browns may want to move on, but Watson’s massive $230 million guaranteed contract - and the looming $131 million cap hit - gives him major leverage. The Browns’ owner, Jimmy Haslam, recently commented that Watson is a “big swing and a miss”, adding fuel to the fire that’s clearly been lit in Watson.
If he’s cleared to play, the team must either activate him or release him, setting up a potential nuclear option that could define the Browns’ season and future.
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