The Cleveland Browns have a tradition. Not just of heartbreak, but also of quarterback drama. October’s here, and the city is already holding its breath. On Cleveland’s airwaves, ex-Browns lineman Jone Greco threw down a challenge, hinting the current quarterback picture is shakier than it looks. The Dawg Pound isn’t a stranger to uncertainty, but Greco’s take has them looking over their shoulders at Deshaun Watson again.

For a while, veteran Joe Flacco was the answer. But after failing to spark the team, his benching paved the way to rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. For the most part, Gabriel now looks like the plan going forward. But on 92.3 The Fan, when asked if Gabriel would remain the answer throughout the season, Greco offered a new perspective and brought back Watson.

“Dillon Gabriel. It’s his job. I hope the guy stays healthy. I hope he continues to improve, and I hope that Kevin Stefanski can put him in a good position to try to win games for this team. Hear people talking about next year and firing the coach. It’s October 7th. So, if I had to bet, I would say ‘no,’ because I wasn’t joking about Deshaun Watson. People can like that or hate it. But I think I would bet that in Vegas that he’s going to start at some point this season.”

Greco is speaking for a lot of anxious faithful. Gabriel’s rise has been quick. He’s shown poise, but there’s still room to grow. And nobody’s forgetting the Browns’ investment in Watson. The franchise spent big money on him: a whopping $230 million. A rookie QB doesn’t erase that in a month. Watson is always in the rearview mirror, always lurking.

Meanwhile, head coach Kevin Stefanski is walking a tightrope. Wins matter. But so do dollars spent. Cleveland’s slow start (just 1-4 after Week 5) makes every decision bigger. Even a good rookie performance by Gabriel hasn’t taken the quarterback question away. The timeline for a Watson return? The silence on that is only adding more heat.

Deshaun Watson still on hold

For Deshaun Watson, the biggest question isn’t his health anymore. Watson had to miss the first four games of the season because of his PUP status. But heading into Week 6 now, the Browns have made a decision to not open his 21-day practice window. He’s eligible for a return, but the Browns are keeping that avenue shut for now. Are they betting on their three active quarterbacks? Or are they holding off on Watson to get back a portion of that $230 million by sidelining him throughout the season?

Browns insider Scott Petrak noted on October 6, “Browns won’t be opening the practice window for Deshaun Watson this week. He remains on PUP as he rehabs from twice ruptured Achilles tendon.” But Watson hasn’t been quiet either. He keeps dropping clues to his rehab progress, working with his personal QB coach, showing off his speed and athleticism. And most recently, he even fired a subtle shot at the QB room that refuses to give him a chance:

“Everybody is doubting me; everyone don’t believe in me. Everyone don’t think I can get back to where I was. But I know, and I believe the work that I put in, that I believe in myself. I know, I’m gonna be way better than before.”

A return date for Watson would shift everything. Where the QB depth stands, who starts and who holds the clipboard. But for now, the franchise sits at the crossroads, weighing risk against reward. Do you think Watson could return sometime this season, or has his Browns chapter ended without resurgence?