The Browns brought in Deshaun Watson in 2022 with high expectations. But his tenure in Cleveland has largely been underwhelming. Injuries have repeatedly derailed his seasons, and when he has been on the field, his performance has often struggled to meet the hype.

But the big revealing news came when a tweet from Mary Kay Cabot on X noted, “#Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is not expected to have his practice window opened this week even though he’s eligible after 4 weeks on reserve/PUP.”

While Cabot believes Watson has the potential to step in and replace struggling starter Joe Flacco, Cleveland’s current depth chart includes Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders as other possible options.

Watson, however, remains the highest-paid quarterback on the roster, with two years remaining on his five-year, $230 million contract. If healthy, he arguably gives the Browns the best chance to compete and win. Even though Watson could still make an impact in 2025 and 2026, the Browns don’t appear to be banking on it.

Throughout his recovery, Watson has stayed active in meetings and has been a regular presence in the locker room during media availability, though he has declined to speak publicly.

The 30-year-old first tore his Achilles last year, with 1:22 left in the second quarter of a Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20. He underwent surgery five days later, on Oct. 25.

But during the initial recovery process, disaster struck again as Watson re-tore the same Achilles, which required a second surgery in Jan. 10. Originally, the timeline for the first injury was estimated at seven to eight months. The second surgery reset everything, and the Browns have been deliberately vague about his return schedule ever since.

Despite this, head coach Kevin Stefanski has confirmed that Flacco will continue as the team’s starting quarterback for the foreseeable future, keeping Watson on hold while monitoring his recovery.

Kevin Stefanski is already weighing QB options

Through four games, Flacco completed 93 of 160 passes for 815 yards, throwing just 2 touchdowns against 6 interceptions. But Stefanski hasn’t exactly silenced the chatter about the quarterback position.

During a Sept. 29 Zoom call, he was pressed multiple times on whether Flacco would remain the starter when the Browns head to London to face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. Each time, Stefanski sidestepped giving a definitive answer.

“I understand the question,” Stefanski said. “We have to play better as an offense. We have to coach better on offense. It’s not about one person. There are so many things that we need to do better and obviously quarterback included, but this is not about one person.”

If it’s not Flacco under center against Minnesota, the logical assumption would be rookie Dillon Gabriel. Drafted in the third round this past April, Gabriel is listed as the No. 2 quarterback and is the only other passer besides Flacco to appear in a game so far.

Behind him, the Browns also have Bailey Zappe stashed on the practice squad. The 26-year-old has nine career starts. Eight with the New England Patriots and one in Cleveland’s 2024 season finale against the Ravens. Stefanski, however, offered no clarity on whether Zappe would even be elevated to the active roster. Nor on who would officially back up Flacco.

Rookie fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders has held the No. 3 spot through the first four games. But the depth chart remains fluid. Could Flacco slide into a backup role? Will Sanders finally get a chance? Or does Stefanski have something else in mind entirely?