The Cleveland Browns are gearing up for training camp, but they’ll be doing so without their star quarterback, Deshaun Watson, at least for now. Watson, still recovering from a second Achilles tear suffered during rehab in January, has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. This decision, anticipated for some time, was confirmed as the full squad gathered Tuesday to kick off camp.
With Watson’s rehabilitation journey extending well beyond this summer, the Browns are bracing for his absence not just at camp but also as the 2025 season gets underway. While there’s no concrete timeline for his return, his placement on the active-PUP list indicates he remains a part of the 90-man roster throughout training camp, ready to be activated when cleared medically.
Team owner Jimmy Haslam candidly reflected on the franchise’s hefty 2022 trade for Watson, admitting it didn’t pay off as initially hoped. “We thought we had a quarterback and we didn’t,” Haslam remarked, acknowledging that the acquisition, which cost three first-round picks, hasn’t yielded the expected results.
Financially, Watson is a substantial consideration for the Browns. He’s set to count just under $36 million against the 2025 salary cap and over $80 million in 2026. The team, having already restructured his contract previously to mitigate cap impacts, might revisit these terms following this season. A potential release ahead of 2026 is also on the table, though decisions on that front remain premature. Under the current contract, Watson’s financial impact extends through the 2029 season, making strategic planning crucial for the Browns.
Watson’s journey with Cleveland has seen its challenges. In three seasons, he’s started 19 games, including a suspension-hindered 2022 season where he played only six games following an 11-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Injuries have been another setback, leading to surgeries and shortened seasons. Watson’s performance on the field has seen him complete 61 percent of his passes, with the Browns posting a 9-10 record during his starts.
As Watson rehabilitates, the Browns quarterback room sees a robust competition unfolding. Veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco are stepping up, alongside 2025 draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, as they vie for the starting position. This reshaped roster will be one to watch as it develops.
In other roster updates, the Browns have additionally placed defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. on the PUP list due to a knee issue, and wide receiver David Bell on the active/non-football injury list with a hip concern. Both are expected to return to action at some point during training camp.
