Deshaun Watson’s Cleveland Browns Career Appears Over: What It Means for the Franchise, Fans, and the Future of the NFL

In what many are calling one of the most polarizing and controversial chapters in modern NFL history, the Cleveland Browns may have finally reached the end of their tumultuous journey with quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Sources close to the organization have revealed that Watson’s status with the team is all but officially over, signaling the unraveling of a multi-year experiment that cost the franchise an astronomical financial and cultural price.

As the 2025 NFL offseason intensifies, Cleveland is preparing for a seismic shift—one that could alter not just its roster, but its identity, reputation, and direction for years to come.

This development follows months of mounting uncertainty surrounding Watson’s health, off-field image, locker room presence, and his overall ability to perform at an elite level.

Once heralded as the missing piece in Cleveland’s long-standing quarterback puzzle, Watson now leaves behind a legacy riddled with injuries, courtroom controversy, and unmet expectations.

The Browns Took a Historic Risk—And It Backfired

When the Cleveland Browns traded for Deshaun Watson in March 2022, it was more than just a high-profile acquisition; it was a gamble of historic proportions.

The Browns sent a haul of first-round picks to the Houston Texans and inked Watson to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract—the most guaranteed money ever given to a player in NFL history at the time.

Cleveland’s front office, led by general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski, believed they were securing a franchise-altering talent.

Despite Watson’s ongoing legal troubles involving over two dozen civil lawsuits from massage therapists alleging  misconduct, the Browns forged ahead, confident that a suspension would be temporary and his playmaking ability would be permanent.

But that confidence quickly deteriorated.

A Career Sidelined by Scandal and Surgery

Watson’s initial 11-game suspension in 2022 was just the beginning. While he returned in the latter part of that season, he looked visibly rusty.

The 2023 campaign offered little improvement. Despite a few flashes of brilliance—including a comeback win against the Baltimore Ravens—Watson’s inconsistency and persistent injuries raised red flags.

By mid-2024, any remaining faith began to fade. Multiple shoulder injuries, including a rotator cuff strain and eventual surgery, kept him off the field for the majority of the season.

Behind closed doors, frustrations reportedly grew. Players began to question his leadership. Fans voiced their discontent. Analysts called the trade a “disaster in slow motion.”

Now, as the 2025 offseason unfolds, sources inside the organization suggest the Browns are quietly but actively exploring a post-Watson future.

Browns Ownership Facing the Fallout

For owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, the decision to pursue Watson was meant to signal a win-now mentality. Instead, it has become a cautionary tale in how high-risk deals can backfire in spectacular fashion.

The financial ramifications alone are staggering. The Browns are still on the hook for Watson’s massive guaranteed contract, meaning they face one of the most difficult cap situations in the NFL.

Releasing Watson outright would incur a dead cap hit in the range of $60 million—an unprecedented figure that would severely limit roster flexibility.

One potential option being discussed, according to league insiders, is a post-June 1 designation cut or trade, which would allow the Browns to spread out the cap hit over two seasons.

However, finding a trade partner willing to absorb even a fraction of Watson’s contract will be a monumental challenge.

There’s also the reputational damage. Cleveland has long struggled to build a winning culture, and the Watson era—brief as it was—has left scars across the fanbase, locker room, and front office.

The Locker Room Turns the Page

Internally, many players appear ready to move on. A source within the team’s facility described a “palpable sense of relief” in recent meetings, with the locker room reportedly more unified in the wake of Watson’s likely departure.

Second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and veteran backup Joe Flacco both received playing time in Watson’s absence, and both reportedly earned strong support from teammates.

While neither is likely to be the long-term solution, their professionalism stood in stark contrast to the cloud of uncertainty that followed Watson.

“It’s like a dark cloud has been lifted,” said one Browns veteran, speaking anonymously. “We can finally focus on football without all the noise.”

Head Coach Kevin Stefanski’s Critical Year

With Watson’s future all but sealed, head coach Kevin Stefanski now finds himself under renewed pressure.

While Stefanski won the NFL Coach of the Year award in 2020, he has struggled to replicate that success in the years since. Some within the media and fanbase are calling 2025 a make-or-break season for him.

The challenge ahead is enormous. He must reestablish offensive continuity, develop young talent, and guide a team still reeling from one of the most high-profile quarterback busts in league history.

Will he be given the tools to succeed? That depends on how the front office handles the upcoming NFL Draft and free agency period.

What Comes Next for Deshaun Watson?

As for Watson, the future is murky at best. Once viewed as a top-five quarterback in the league, Watson’s value has plummeted.

His last full season of elite play came in 2020. Since then, he’s been defined more by courtrooms than end zones.

Even if Watson is medically cleared to return in 2025, there’s no guarantee another team will be eager to take the risk. One NFC general manager described Watson’s situation as “radioactive,” adding, “The talent is there, but the baggage is just too much.”

Some analysts have floated the idea of Watson taking a year off, rehabbing, and attempting a comeback in 2026. Others believe he may never play in the NFL again.

Fan Backlash Reaches a Boiling Point

The Cleveland fanbase, among the most loyal and long-suffering in the league, has been vocally critical of the Watson saga from day one.

When the trade was announced in 2022, many season ticket holders threatened to walk away from the team. Some did. Others stayed but expressed outrage through signs, chants, and social media campaigns.

Now, as the Browns begin what appears to be the final chapter of the Watson era, many fans are hoping the organization uses this as a moment of reflection.

“I want my Browns back,” tweeted one lifelong fan. “We’re not a franchise that should be defined by hush money and headlines. We’re better than this.”

The NFL’s Role and Public Perception

The Deshaun Watson story also raises questions about the league’s conduct policies and its ability to handle complex player discipline issues.

While the NFL suspended Watson for 11 games and fined him $5 million, critics argue the punishment was insufficient given the number of allegations and the damage done to the league’s image.

Roger Goodell’s administration has been criticized for inconsistency in how it addresses player misconduct, especially compared to other leagues like the NBA and MLB.

“There was never true accountability,” said one ESPN analyst. “It was a slap on the wrist for something that should have been a massive suspension.”

The fallout from the Watson case may prompt the NFL to revisit its personal conduct policy ahead of the 2025 season.

Quarterback Options Moving Forward

With Watson likely out of the picture, the Browns must turn their attention to rebuilding their quarterback room. Several options exist:

• Draft a rookie QB: Cleveland could look to target a quarterback in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Names like Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe, and Quinn Ewers have already surfaced in mock drafts.

• Trade for a veteran: If the Browns want a proven commodity, they may explore trade options for quarterbacks like Justin Fields (if made available), or seek a bridge QB such as Gardner Minshew or Sam Darnold.

• Stick with in-house options: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, while raw, showed flashes of potential. Joe Flacco, though aging, remains a reliable veteran presence.

Each path carries risks and uncertainties, but one thing is clear: the Deshaun Watson chapter has closed, and the franchise must look forward.

Final Thoughts: A Chapter Cleveland Wants to Forget

In a city that has endured “The Drive,” “The Fumble,” “The Decision,” and decades of football misery, the Deshaun Watson saga may stand as the most damaging era yet.

It wasn’t just about bad football. It was about ethics, accountability, and the soul of a franchise trying desperately to win—at any cost.

Now, the Browns must pick up the pieces, rebuild trust with their community, and try once again to find the quarterback who can lead them—not into controversy, but into contention.

As fans prepare for training camp in the summer of 2025, a new era is dawning in Cleveland. And this time, the franchise has one goal in mind: redemption.