NFL News: Browns make Deshaun Watson decision as season nears end

THE Cleveland Browns have made a decision on quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has not played this season due to injury.

Watson, who the team activated from the physically disabled list earlier this month, was not added to the active roster at the end of his 21-day window.

Watson had He has performed individual drills and led the scout team’s offense since his activation, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said it seemed like the “right decision” not to activate him.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson watches from the sidelines as the Las Vegas Raiders play in the second half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada on November 23, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

“Yeah, he’s done a great job with everything that’s been asked of him. I’ve had the opportunity to see him work so hard, whether it’s in the practice room, alone inside with the coaches, on the practice field now for the last time. But I just felt like it was the right decision for him and for us, and his focus will continue to be to help this football team and continue to be healthy and get stronger and all that kind of stuff,” Stefanski said at a news conference Tuesday.

Watson tore his right Achilles tendon in October, then tore it during rehab in January. Watson, who signed a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract in March 2022, has been a major disappointment.

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Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson watch from the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on September 7, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

He was suspended for 11 games in 2022 after facing multiple allegations of sexual assault while with the team. Houston Texans. Watson only played in 19 games in four seasons with the Browns and disappointed on the field.

The Browns are 9-10 in Watson’s starts, as he has completed 61.2% of his passes for 3,365 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

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It’s unclear who the Browns’ starting quarterback will be next season. Although Watson should be fully healthy, the team has both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel as options as well.

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