Instead, Watson is expected to use his practice time to get back into football shape and reacclimate himself.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski largely avoided the topic of when Watson could play again when he talked with reporters this past week, but he has praised Watson’s efforts to return.
“He has been working so hard, rehabbing, so finally to get out there on the practice field with his teammates to go through individual, I think this is really great for him,” Stefanski said on Wednesday when Watson was designated to return. “His focus, my focus is obviously getting him back to playing football, practicing football, which he hasn’t done in over a year.”
Sources say Watson has not been a distraction in the building while rehabbing this year.
Watson signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the the Browns in 2022 when he was traded to Cleveland from the Houston Texans after he sat out the 2021 season amid a trade request.
Watson then served an 11-game suspension at the beginning of the 2022 season for violating the personal-conduct policy following more than 20 allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.
Watson’s play since arriving in Cleveland has not matched his performance in Houston where he made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2018 to 2020. Watson has appeared in just 19 games for the Browns with a 9-10 record, throwing 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
While Cleveland could move on from him, a release this offseason would carry a massive salary-cap hit. They also might still need an experienced bridge starter for 2026 if the Browns, holders of two first-round picks, decide to draft a quarterback early and determine Sanders and Gabriel aren’t in their future plans.
Of course, a trade always is possible for the right price. The league has seen crazier things.
But Watson starting in 2026 for Cleveland while a young quarterback gets ready could be in play.
