The Cleveland Browns are cracking open the door for a potential late-season return from quarterback Deshaun Watson, designating him to return from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. That move officially starts the clock on a 21-day window for Watson to practice with the team before they must decide whether to activate him to the 53-man roster.
While there’s no guarantee he’ll suit up before the season ends, this is the first tangible sign that a return to the field in 2025 is on the table. Watson has been sidelined since tearing his Achilles last season, and his recovery hit a snag earlier this year during rehab. But now, with December underway and the Browns still fighting for playoff positioning, the possibility of Watson rejoining the huddle is very real.
From a roster-building standpoint, Watson’s future in Cleveland has always been financially complex - and that hasn’t changed. Back in November, reports indicated that it’s highly unlikely the Browns would move on from Watson in 2026, largely because of the massive dead cap hit that would come with releasing him, even under a post-June 1 designation. The expectation is that Cleveland will once again restructure his contract - particularly the $46 million guaranteed salary that’s on the books for the final year of his fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal.
That contract, of course, remains one of the most talked-about in NFL history - not just for the dollar amount, but for the context surrounding it. Watson, now 30, entered the league as a first-round pick out of Clemson in 2017, signing a rookie deal with the Texans that included a fifth-year option. He later inked a four-year, $177 million extension that paid him $39 million annually, signaling Houston’s long-term commitment.
But things unraveled quickly. After the 2020 season, Watson requested a trade and sat out the entire 2021 campaign amid a wave of sexual misconduct lawsuits.
He was eventually suspended for 11 games and didn’t play a snap that year. The Browns made a blockbuster move to acquire him in 2022, sending a haul of draft picks to Houston and handing Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million contract that runs through 2026 - a deal that reset the quarterback market and raised eyebrows across the league.
On the field, Watson’s time in Cleveland has been a mixed bag, largely due to injuries and inconsistency. In 2024, he started seven games, completing 63.4% of his passes for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also chipped in 148 yards and a rushing score on 31 carries, showing flashes of the dual-threat ability that made him a Pro Bowler in Houston.
Now, the Browns are hoping they might get another look at Watson before the curtain drops on the 2025 season. Whether he returns for a playoff push or simply to shake off the rust heading into next year, his presence on the practice field is a step forward - and a storyline that could have big implications for Cleveland’s short- and long-term outlook.
For now, all eyes are on how Watson responds to practice reps. The Browns don’t need to rush anything, but if he looks healthy, don’t be surprised if we see No. 4 back under center before the season’s out.