Deshaun Watson, long written off after two serious Achilles injuries, has quietly slipped back into the conversation as a legitimate candidate to open the season as the Cleveland Browns' Week 1 starter, according to local reporting. On the Orange and Brown Talk podcast, veteran reporter Mary Kay Cabot said owner Jimmy Haslam has been effusive in his praise of Watson and that the quarterback's offseason work has turned heads inside the building. Just like that, a quarterback room that already looked crowded has an unexpected contender as the Browns work through spring practices and OTAs.
On that Orange and Brown Talk episode, Cabot relayed that Haslam described Watson as lighter and "looking good" in workout videos, and pointed out that Watson spent last season rehabbing in Berea while also mentoring younger quarterbacks, according to Cleveland.com. Cabot added that "Deshaun Watson might be the Browns' starting quarterback if the season started tomorrow," a line that shows how quickly the internal depth-chart math can change.
Why the QB Picture Is Messy
The Browns' offseason moves have left them with several viable options under center, and the team has been careful not to hand the job to anyone publicly. The club previously opened Watson's 21-day practice window, and he has been seen throwing in controlled sessions. Those developments have kept him firmly in the mix, as reported by Yahoo Sports. That blend of medical progress and available practice tape gives Cleveland flexibility and muddies the usual rookie-versus-veteran hierarchy.
What Officials Are Saying
Publicly, the front office is treading carefully. According to Cleveland.com, general manager Andrew Berry has stressed that "everybody has an equal chance" to win the starting job, even as Haslam's more enthusiastic comments suggest the owner likes what he has seen from Watson. Cabot also noted that rookie Shedeur Sanders is still working through the learning curve and needs to narrow the gap, framing the competition as more about who is ready right now than about name recognition or draft status.
What To Watch Next
The hinge point in all of this is health and availability. Watson's comeback follows two significant Achilles injuries that sidelined him last season, a timeline detailed in earlier coverage of his 2024 surgery and recovery, per AP News. More recent reports show Watson out of a walking boot and throwing at the Browns' facility and in workout footage, developments that have kept the idea of a near-term return alive, as noted by NBC Sports. As OTAs and organized practices roll on, the real tells will be updates on his practice participation and any medical clearances that could turn this surprising buzz into an actual Week 1 start.
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