Deshaun Watson's run as quarterback for the Cleveland Browns was already a polarizing topic, and now, it's over. At least, it is for this NFL season — and yes, perhaps beyond.
Videos by FanBuzz
Watson, 29, suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and per the team, is out for the season. Some wonder if he'll ever take another snap in Cleveland. That's a fair question.
What we will do is get paid — a lot. All to be perhaps the biggest bust for a franchise that's been full of them.
Perhaps it's not been all Watson's fault, but a big part of it has been. He's been injured and bad. With Watson under center, the Browns have been a mess (yes, bigger than usual).
So what's left? Either Jameis Winston or Dorian Thompson-Robinson as far as quarterbacks go. It's hard to know who coach Kevin Stefanski will start. Regardless, the Browns are 1-6 in a season in which they were expected to make the playoffs. So this year is already over. It's on to the next, and the Browns may be paying Watson almost $50 million next year not to play.
But hey, at least Nick Chubb returned. Then again, anyone who thinks that's great is kidding themselves. Chubb is fantastic; the Browns are a joke. There's nothing to cheer about here.
As for Watson, the focus shifts from comically trying to lead the Browns to the cutting-edge recovery method that Aaron Rodgers used — known as the "speed bridge" procedure. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Watson is eyeing the same surgery Rodgers had, performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
This method allowed Rodgers to return to football activities in just 77 days, much quicker than the typical 9-12 month timeline for an Achilles tear. Watson, signed through 2026 on that $230 million fully guaranteed contract, will try to do the same. How the Browns and their fans feel about that idea, however, is up for debate.
An MRI revealed that Browns QB Deshaun Watson’s Achilles is in fact ruptured, as suspected, and his 2024 season is over.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2024
