The Cleveland Browns have made a major quarterback move.
Cleveland is set to host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, as Shedeur Sanders will start his third-straight game. However, on Wednesday, the Browns opened the 21-day practice window for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Watson has been on injured reserve due to an Achilles injury, and the team hasn’t given much information on his potential.
On Monday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about Watson potentially returning to practice, and he wasn’t sure when or if that would happen.
“I don’t have an update there,” Stefanski said. … “I just don’t have an official update on that.”
Now, just two days later, the Browns have opened the 21-day window for Watson. Meaning, he’s allowed to practice. It also could lead to him returning to the field later this year, as perhaps the Browns let him start one of the final games of the season.
Watson is in the midst of a five-year, $230 million deal. He last played on Oct. 20, 2024, when he tore his Achilles tendon, before re-injuring it this offseason.
Watson’s Future With Browns in Doubt
Although the Browns did open the 21-day practice window for Watson, it’s uncertain he will even play this season.
Cleveland may opt to continue with Shedeur Sanders to see what they have in him. Watson, meanwhile, may also not have a future with the Browns, as before the season started, owner Jimmy Haslam admitted the Watson trade was a failure.
“We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun,” Haslam said. “We thought we had the quarterback; we didn’t. And we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him, so we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole. … [The trade] was an entire organization decision, and it ends with Dee and I, so hold us accountable.”
Although Watson is under contract through 2026, the Browns could decide to cut him after the season and start fresh at quarterback. But perhaps Watson can return to the field and provide the offense a spark and earn a chance at starting again for the team next season.
For now, Watson will return to practice on Wednesday. After the practice, Stefanski will likely give an update on the veteran quarterback and whether or not he has a chance to play this season.
Sanders Set for Third-Straight Start
Although Watson will be back at practice, Sanders will remain the starting quarterback on Sunday.
Sanders is set for his third-straight start, and the quarterback is looking to build off his frustrating performance against the San Francisco 49ers.
“Yeah, you could tell whenever we build momentum, you can see it,” Sanders said on Sunday. “I’m sure y’all all able to see it when we out there, when we confident, and I’m sure y’all able to see when we out there and we not. So, it’s about being more confident whenever we are getting slow. It’s about rallying the guys. And I didn’t do a great job of that today. Rallying everybody together whenever things aren’t going our way and staying focused and staying on it.
“So that’s something off the field, I know I got to improve is, even when I shoot my shot and I miss, I just got to keep shooting and I got to keep having everybody, bringing everybody together, you know what I’m saying? Cause I know the offense. I know the team counts on me to do my job and do what I have to do. And I feel like I failed them today.”
The Browns are a 4.5-point favorite over the Titans on Sunday.
Browns Make Major Move Involving Quarterback Deshaun Watson