SAD NEWS: Quarterback Deshaun Watson Re-Ruptures Achilles, Second Surgery Scheduled for June 3
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns organization and its fans were dealt a major blow this week as it was confirmed that quarterback Deshaun Watson has re-ruptured his Achilles tendon, just months after his initial surgery. The injury, which occurred during a private offseason workout session, will require a second surgery scheduled for June 3.
This devastating development puts Watson’s 2025 NFL season in serious jeopardy, and it raises tough questions about the future of his career. The Browns have not released an official timeline for his return, but sources within the organization have indicated that the recovery process could extend well into 2026, depending on how the surgery and rehabilitation progress.
Watson, 29, was already recovering from a torn Achilles that sidelined him during a crucial stretch of the 2024 season. After undergoing surgery late last year, optimism was high that he’d return fully healthy and ready to lead the Browns in 2025. However, this unexpected setback has dashed those hopes, leaving the franchise once again without its franchise quarterback.
“This is obviously tough news for Deshaun and the entire organization,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said in a statement. “He’s been working tirelessly to get back on the field. We’re going to support him in every way as he begins this new recovery journey.”
Watson signed a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract with the Browns in 2022 — one of the largest and most controversial deals in NFL history. Since joining the team, his time on the field has been marred by injuries and inconsistency. He has played in just 12 games over two seasons, with mixed performances and long stretches of inactivity.
With Watson’s latest injury, the Browns now face immediate and long-term challenges at the quarterback position. Backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson is expected to see increased reps during offseason programs, while the team could also explore options in free agency or via trade. Veteran Joe Flacco, who helped the Browns during a late-season playoff push in 2024, has not yet re-signed, but could be a name to watch in the coming weeks.
For fans, the news is nothing short of heartbreaking. Hopes were high that the 2025 season would mark a new chapter — one of redemption and resurgence. Instead, the team must once again adjust its expectations and rally behind a new plan moving forward.
In the larger picture, this may be one of the most pivotal offseasons in recent Browns history. With key veterans like Joel Bitonio returning and a defense led by Myles Garrett still in top form, the team has the pieces to compete. But without a clear answer at quarterback, the path forward becomes murkier.
As for Watson, all eyes will be on his surgery on June 3. The football world will be watching closely — not just to see when he returns, but whether he can ever regain the elite form that once made him one of the NFL’s most dynamic signal-callers.