Browns Face Critical Decision as Deshaun Watson’s Practice Window Opens

The Cleveland Browns have reached a pivotal moment in their tumultuous quarterback saga. With Deshaun Watson’s practice window officially open, the organization must determine whether the veteran quarterback should be activated in the coming weeks. On paper, the decision may appear straightforward, but the larger context makes it far more complicated than a simple medical evaluation.

Watson is attempting to return from not one, but two Achilles tears suffered within a three-month span — a rare physical setback for any player, especially a 30-year-old quarterback with significant mileage. Even if he progresses enough to be game-ready, Cleveland must consider whether placing him back under center benefits the franchise in any meaningful way. At 3–9, the Browns are firmly outside the playoff race, shifting their priorities toward evaluation, development, and future planning.

Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has emerged as a more viable investment in Cleveland’s current situation. Though far from a guaranteed long-term answer, the fifth-round draft pick has shown promise and, importantly, represents a new direction in a year defined by instability. With Dillon Gabriel also on the roster, the Browns have two young players in need of reps — and an aging, injured veteran whose tenure has produced little beyond disappointment.

For an organization that has spent years attempting to justify its massive investment in Watson, the opening of his practice window forces a consequential decision: double down once more or finally shift the focus toward the future.

1. Watson’s Tenure Defined by Turmoil and Underperformance

Watson’s stint in Cleveland has been overshadowed by off-field allegations, prolonged absences, and underwhelming production. After being accused by more than 20 women of sexual misconduct and missing the entire 2021 season in Houston, he was traded to Cleveland for a package of premium draft picks and signed to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. The move was widely criticized at the time and has only appeared more problematic since. His Browns debut was delayed by an 11-game suspension in 2022, and when he finally returned, he looked visibly rusty. Watson posted career-worst numbers across several statistical categories that season, struggling to regain his pre-hiatus form. Even with a full offseason and training camp in 2023, he never found consistent rhythm, and the team’s 5–1 start came despite, not because of, his performance. The next two years brought a cascade of serious injuries. A shoulder injury cut short his 2023 campaign, and the 2024 season unraveled early when he suffered an Achilles tear during a Week 6 loss to Cincinnati. A subsequent re-tear in January further complicated his recovery timeline and raised questions about whether he could ever return to the level that once made him a Pro Bowl quarterback. Through four seasons in Cleveland, Watson has played just 19 games. His cumulative numbers — 3,365 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and three rushing scores — reflect the inconsistency and absence that have defined his Browns tenure. Even in a best-case scenario, these aren’t figures that would compel a rebuild around him.

2. The Case for Committing to Sanders and Youth Development

Given Watson’s injury history and the Browns’ 3–9 record, there is no competitive rationale for reinserting him into the lineup. Sanders — the team’s first rookie quarterback to win his debut since 1998 — offers a more meaningful developmental opportunity in a season already lost. While he was initially buried on the depth chart, Sanders’ elevation came not by hype, but by necessity, and he has responded by showing glimpses of the poise needed to warrant further evaluation. Sanders may not project as a future star, and the league’s collective draft-day skepticism remains fair, but he represents a clean slate. With Cleveland’s postseason hopes gone, it makes little sense to prioritize a veteran whose long-term future with the franchise appears uncertain at best. The same logic applies to Gabriel, another rookie who needs in-game reps to determine his developmental trajectory. Playing Watson now would serve only one purpose: attempting to reestablish his trade value, however modest. If he were to show flashes of his former self, Cleveland might hope another team would take a chance. But that scenario is doubtful given the severity of his injuries, the remaining guaranteed money, and the performance decline already evident. By contrast, Sanders and Gabriel offer the Browns flexibility and a chance to reset. Continued evaluation could influence offseason roster decisions and shape a broader blueprint for the future — something Watson’s presence no longer provides.

3. The Financial and Timeline Pressures Ahead

Cleveland’s financial commitment to Watson remains a significant obstacle. Releasing him after June 1 next offseason would trigger $80.7 million in dead cap for 2026 and $50.4 million in 2027 — a staggering penalty for a franchise still trying to recover draft capital lost in the original trade. Trading him would lower the 2026 dead-cap hit to $34.7 million, but finding any team willing to absorb his contract appears highly unlikely. With the practice window open, the Browns have 21 days to make a decision: activate Watson to the 53-man roster or rule him out for the remainder of the season. If activated, he could be available for the final two games, though it’s unclear whether he could realistically play meaningful snaps given his rehab status. The dilemma reflects a broader pattern. Cleveland has repeatedly aligned its decisions around the financial commitment made to Watson, even when those choices clashed with on-field logic. Now, however, the franchise faces an inflection point. Clinging to the sunk cost risks delaying the evaluation of younger talent, while sidelining Watson acknowledges the need to move forward. Ultimately, the Browns must choose between revisiting a failed experiment or embracing a necessary shift in direction — one that prioritizes development over damage control.