The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback saga continues to unfold as they head into the 2025 NFL season, with veteran Joe Flacco named the Week 1 starter against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7. Behind him, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders wait in the wings as backups, in that order. Given the Browns’ history-starting more quarterbacks than any team since 1999, with only Tim Couch and Baker Mayfield completing full seasons-it’s likely the depth chart will see action. MeanwhileDeshaun Watson, once a star at Clemson and with the Houston Texans, remains the Browns’ most costly misstep.
Signed to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract in 2022, Watson has played just 19 games, averaging a staggering $12 million per game, with Cleveland posting a 9-10 record in his starts. Two consecutive seasons cut short by injuries, including a devastating Achilles tear, have left the Browns’ investment looking like a franchise-altering blunder.
Watson’s Training Videos Ignite Speculation
Recent developments have added a twist to Cleveland’s quarterback narrative. After initial reports suggested Deshaun Watson might miss the entire 2025 season due to his Achilles injury, the quarterback posted videos of himself training at the Browns’ facility, hinting at a potential return. Using his signature “4OVE” motto, Watson captioned the footage, “Focus only on victories every day… More GLORY,”.
While these glimpses of progress shouldn’t be overstated, they signal Watson’s determination to reclaim his spot. His drive to return is clear, but with a history of injuries and off-field controversies, including sexual harassment lawsuits, his path back to the NFL remains uncertain. For now, his focus on rehabilitation keeps the door open, forcing the Browns to grapple with a complex decision as they balance his comeback bid against their crowded quarterback room.
The Shadows of Watson’s Past and the Rise of Sanders and Gabriel
Watson’s last standout season came in 2020 with Houston, where he threw for a league high 4,823 yards, with 33 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions, despite the Texans’ 4-12 record. Since then, injuries and legal battles have dimmed his star, with only one season of more than seven games played. The Browns’ massive bet on him has yielded little, leaving them to navigate a quarterback room brimming with potential but no clear long-term answer.
Rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, drafted in the fifth and third rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, represent the future. Sanders, with his popularity and college flair, while Gabriel, with his dual-threat ability, are poised to seize opportunities if Flacco falters.
Both have shown promise in camp, and with Cleveland’s history of cycling through quarterbacks, their chance to shine could come soon. For now, Watson’s training return adds intrigue, but the spotlight is shifting to the young guns ready to redefine the Browns’ trajectory.
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