Kevin Stefanski announces major Deshaun Watson news ahead of Browns’ Week 17 game vs. Steelers

As soon as he returned to practice, Deshaun Watson's status with the Cleveland Browns became a popular topic around the league. Initially, head coach Kevin Stefanski refused to get into details about his plans for the former Houston Texans star.

However, that changed on Tuesday, when the coach told reporters Watson won't be activated this season, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The Cleveland Browns had as many as five quarterbacks on the roster coming into the 2025 NFL season. They shipped Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders in August, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in next year's draft. Joe Flacco was traded mid-season to the Cincinnati Bengals, while rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders exchanged starts until the former Colorado Buffaloes star took over.

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The Browns made a splash in 2022 when they landed Deshaun Watson in a blockbuster trade that sent a plethora of draft picks to NRG Stadium. Watson signed a fully-guaranteed $230 million deal that runs through next season. The team faces an offseason with plenty of questions to answer, from the people who run the football operation to the coaching staff to the personnel. Watson could benefit from this season's struggles.

Browns insider predicts Deshaun Watson will be with the team next season

Cleveland Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot said on Tuesday that Deshaun Watson could take advantage of the team's shortcomings this season. Cabot thinks Watson could have a significant role instead of just taking up a roster spot.

“I do believe he’ll be on the roster, in part because of the salary cap considerations,” Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot said on 92.3 The Fan. “He’ll be on the team next year and he will have the chance to start games at the beginning of the season as a bridge quarterback in the event that they need a veteran to do that.”

How they decided to move with Sanders will also influence the way they handle the Watson situation.

“If they stick with Shedeur and feel like he needs a little more seasoning, maybe they let Deshaun start a few games and let Shedeur continue to learn whatever he needs to learn to go out there and win,” Cabot said. “Or if they draft a quarterback in April and don’t feel he’s ready yet, there’s a world where Deshaun starts in place of him. He will be here, and as long as he’s healthy, he’ll have that chance.”

Edited by Orlando Silva