With five games left in the regular season, the Cleveland Browns just cracked open a door many thought was bolted shut: Deshaun Watson’s 21-day practice window is officially open.
Watson, who’s been sidelined since Week 7 of the 2024 season after rupturing his Achilles, had what most assumed was a season-ending - and perhaps season-erasing - surgery. Then came a second Achilles procedure in January, which all but cemented the belief that fans wouldn’t see No. 4 back on the field until 2026.
But now? There's a real chance Watson suits up before the curtain falls on 2025.
Cleveland has until December 24 to activate him. If they don’t, he’ll stay on the reserve list for the rest of the year. And while Kevin Stefanski has kept things close to the vest when it comes to Watson’s status, this move signals that the Browns are at least leaving the door open - even if just a crack.
The timing is interesting, especially considering the Browns’ quarterback carousel this season. They’ve already cycled through three different starters, each with their own storyline.
The year began with veteran Joe Flacco under center, but his stint as QB1 didn’t last long. He was benched, then traded to the Bengals - where, in a twist of fate, he was benched again once Joe Burrow returned from injury.
Enter rookie Dillon Gabriel. The former Oklahoma and UCF standout brought some promise, but his momentum was halted when he landed in concussion protocol. That opened the door for another rookie, Shedeur Sanders, who’s now started the last two games and is expected to get the nod again this weekend against the Titans.
So now, with the Browns still in the playoff hunt and their quarterback room in flux, the question becomes: could Watson rejoin the mix?
He’s been around the team all season, even if he hasn’t been suiting up. By all accounts, he’s taken on a mentorship role with Gabriel and Sanders, guiding the rookies through the early stages of their NFL journeys. And when Sanders made his first career start against the Raiders a couple weeks ago, Watson was there - traveling with the team for the first time this season.
That’s not a small detail. When a veteran quarterback recovering from a major injury starts traveling with the team, it usually means something’s shifting behind the scenes.
Whether that shift leads to Watson taking actual snaps before the season wraps up remains to be seen. But the Browns have given themselves the option - and in a season where quarterback stability has been anything but guaranteed, having another potential option matters.
What’s clear is this: Cleveland’s quarterback situation is still evolving, and the return of Deshaun Watson - once thought impossible this year - is suddenly on the table.