Tag: Watson

Quarterbacks Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel practice together at the Browns mini camp in Berea on April 21, 2026.

Call it a comeback? Deshaun Watson reportedly leading Browns’ QB competition

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A competition to be the QB1 in Cleveland has a comeback candidate in the lead, according to the Plain Dealer.

Deshaun Watson currently is ahead of Shedeur Sanders in an ongoing competition under first-year head coach Todd Monken, per the report.

Watson, 30, emerged from the first minicamp of Monken’s tenure with a grasp on the starting spot but Monken did not make an official announcement or declare a “leader” at this stage of the offseason. Monken said he hopes to have a better read on the QB pecking order by the end of the June 9-11 minicamp, a final on-field team session prior to July training camp.

Watson did not play last season while recovering from an Achilles injury and two corrective surgeries. His health issues have been one of the few constants during Watson’s time with the Browns, who acquired him from the Houston Texans in a 2022 trade.

In three seasons in Cleveland, Watson has never started more than seven games. He has produced 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions while being sacked 70 times in 19 total games.

Sanders has been upbeat in his first full offseason as a pro after Monken was positive about how he felt about the former Colorado quarterback during pre-draft evaluations before the 2025 draft. The Browns, then coached by Kevin Stefanski, selected Dillon Gabriel in the third round before taking Sanders two rounds later.

Sanders had seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions and was sacked 23 times in 2025. He was given a shot as the starter after Joe Flacco was benched (and traded to the Cincinnati Bengals) and Gabriel took over.

The Browns drafted another quarterback — former Boise State and Arkansas passer Taylen Green — with the 182nd overall pick last week. Green is viewed as a developmental prospect posing no immediate threat to the competition to start in 2026, but his tools are intriguing. At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, Green wowed at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.36 40-yard dash and a 43.5-inch vertical jump.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, center, poses for a portrait with general manager Andrew Berry, left, and head coach Kevin Stefanski during Watson's introductory press conference at the Cleveland Browns Training Facility on Friday. Watsonpress 11

Panel: NFL talked collusion in ’22, but not enough evidence it happened

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A three-person appeals panel has ruled against the NFL Players Association, which contended an arbitrator incorrectly ruled there wasn’t enough evidence to prove collusion when negotiating quarterback contracts in 2022.

The ruling, handed down Friday, upheld the January 2025 decision by arbitrator Christopher Droney in a case that focused on whether teams participated in a collusion plot while in negotiations with NFL players, but specifically with Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson.

In its ruling, the panel acknowledged the NFL was “improper” in inviting teams to “participate in collusion.” However, the panel said it had not been proved by the evidence that some or all of the teams actually followed through with collusion.

The NFLPA has argued that the five-year $230 million, fully guaranteed contract given to Deshaun Watson in March 2022 by the Cleveland Browns was the impetus needed for owners to collude and that none of the three quarterbacks in question received similar guarantees.

Murray, now with the Minnesota Vikings, signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension with the Arizona Cardinals on July 21, 2022, with $159 million guaranteed.

Jackson, the MVP-winning quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, inked a five-year, $260 million extension on April 27, 2023. The contract includes $185 million in guarantees.

The Denver Broncos acquired Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks and signed him to a five-year, $242.5 million extension, with $161 million guaranteed, on Sept. 1, 2022. After two subpar seasons, the Broncos released him, and he subsequently signed one-year contracts with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants.

All of those contract figures come from Spotrac, which also lists Wilson’s career earnings at about $316 million — fourth all-time in the NFL.

Amid allegations of sexual improprieties with more than 20 massage therapists who filed suit against him, Watson got his wish to be traded by the Houston Texans. On March 18, 2022, the Texans sent Watson and a future fifth-round draft pick to the Browns for a package of three first-round draft picks, a third-round selection and a fourth-rounder.

Watson is entering the final season of the contract and will become a free agent at the end the league year. The Browns have reworked the deal several times to give them salary cap wiggle room, but he still will wind up with the full amount.

Because of suspension and injuries, Watson, 30, has appeared in just 19 games over four seasons with the Browns and has a 9-10 record. With those seasons worth $184 million, he has earned nearly $9.7 million per game.

–Field Level Media

Lamar Jackson doubtful, Jordan Love questionable for Ravens-Packers

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is considered doubtful to play in Saturday’s showdown with the Green Bay Packers after missing practice all week with a back contusion.

Jackson was listed as a DNP on Baltimore’s injury report for the third straight day Thursday. Tyler Huntley would step in if Jackson cannot play.

Jackson was knocked out of Sunday’s 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots with a back injury in the second quarter. The Ravens (7-8) face elimination from the playoff chase with a loss to the Packers after winning consecutive AFC North titles.

The Ravens would be eliminated this week with a loss and a Steelers victory. As it stands, Baltimore’s chances of reaching the playoffs are slim.

Winning two games would be a tall order without Jackson, who missed three games in October with a hamstring injury as Baltimore went 1-2. When Jackson returned in Week 9, the Ravens won four consecutive games to improve from their 1-5 start to the season.

On the other sideline, the Packers (9-5-1) listed quarterbacks Jordan Love and Malik Willis as questionable.

Love, who is in the concussion protocol and also nursing a left shoulder injury, was a limited participant in practice each day this week. Love left Saturday’s overtime loss to the Chicago Bears in the second quarter when he took a helmet-to-helmet blow from the Bears’ Austin Booker.

Willis relieved Love but hurt his right (throwing) shoulder in the waning moments of regulation. Then an illness was added to Willis’ line on the injury report. He sat out practice Wednesday but returned Thursday in limited fashion.

The Packers also noted that wide receiver Christian Watson and guard Sean Rhyan missed practice Thursday due to illness and are considered questionable for the home finale.

–Field Level Media

RB Josh Jacobs, other Packers might be game-time decisions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Already without star defensive end Micah Parsons for the rest of the season, the Green Bay Packers are dealing with other key injuries — namely star running back Josh Jacobs — ahead of Saturday’s crucial divisional showdown at the Chicago Bears.

Jacobs (knee), starting right tackle Zach Tom (back/knee), starting safety Evan WIlliams (knee) and starting wide receiver Christian Watson (chest/shoulder) have not practiced all week, but Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said on Thursday that he is not ready to rule out any of them with first place on the line.

The Packers (9-4-1), who beat Chicago in Week 14, are a half-game behind the Bears (10-4) in the NFC North.

“We’ve got a lot of guys — this injury list is pretty substantial — so we’ve got a lot of things to figure out over these next couple of days,” LaFleur told reporters.

“I know every one of these guys is going to be fighting to make it by gametime.”

Along with the knee injury he has been battling for weeks, Jacobs is also dealing with an ankle issue. The 27-year-old has rushed for 890 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games this season. He also has 33 receptions for 270 yards and one score.

If Jacobs does sit, Emanuel Wilson would take over lead back duties, while Darian Kinnard would be in line to replace Tom. Kinnard replaced Tom after the latter left Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos after Jacobs’ receiving touchdown in the second quarter. Jordan Morgan, Green Bay’s 2024 first-round draft pick, could also see time at right tackle.

Wilson filled in for Jacobs in Week 12 and rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. For the season, Wilson, 26, has rushed for 354 yards and three scores on 90 carries in 14 games.

Williams told reporters Wednesday that he sprained his MCL and considered himself day-to-day. Zayne Anderson took over for Williams and is a candidate to start if Williams can’t go Saturday, though Green Bay could also move slot corner Javon Bullard to safety.

Watson, who left Sunday’s loss after Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II landed on him while intercepting a pass, was taken to a hospital for tests but was cleared of any serious injury and may suit up Saturday.

LaFleur said it will depend on how the 26-year-old is able to manage the pain in his chest and shoulder and whether those areas affect his performance. Watson has 28 receptions for 481 yards and five TDs in eight games this season.

–Field Level Media

Browns open 21-day return window for QB Deshaun Watson

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Cleveland’s highest-paid offensive player is back on the practice field for the first time this season.

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was designated to return to practice, opening a 21-day window for the franchise to either activate him to the 53-man roster or shut him down for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Watson is recovering from multiple Achilles surgeries since January and was thought to be out for the season while healing from the procedures.

The Browns have started three different quarterbacks this season: Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in October. Gabriel started four games before dealing with a concussion, which opened the door for Sanders — a rookie drafted 50 spots behind Gabriel in April — to take over as QB1.

“His focus, my focus, is obviously getting him back to playing football, practicing football, which he hasn’t done in over a year,” Stefanski said. “So, it’s a good next step for him.”

Stefanski did not commit to getting Watson on the field for a game before the end of this season. Cleveland remains on the hook for one more year of his five-year contract.

He counts more than $80.7 million against the salary cap in 2026 with a base salary of $46 million. Owner Jimmy Haslam called the Watson acquisition a “big swing and miss” in March.

Watson, 30, has played 19 games with the Browns and thrown 19 TD passes since he was acquired from the Houston Texans in 2022 and signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in Cleveland.

Haslam will have paid Watson $184 million when the 2025 season ends. If Watson does not take the field for a game, he will have earned $9.68 million per game played with the Browns.

He was suspended 11 games in 2022 for off-field conduct related to sexual misconduct allegations with more than 20 massage therapists. His 2023 season was cut short by left shoulder surgery and the 2024 season ended abruptly for Watson in Week 7 because of a ruptured Achilles.

He missed the final 10 games and is nearly 14 months removed from his most recent game action. He had a second Achilles surgery in January to repair a new tear in the same tendon.

The Browns restructured Watson’s contract in the offseason — he received a $44 million restructure bonus — to free up salary-cap space and sign defensive end Myles Garrett to a four-year, $160 million contract and curb his trade demand.

–Field Level Media

Jun 12, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) works out during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns place Deshaun Watson on PUP list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Competition for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland will not include the Browns’ highest-paid QB, Deshaun Watson.

Watson was officially placed on the physically unable to perform list as training camp gets underway in Berea, Ohio, with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel vying to be the QB1 when the regular season begins Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Watson was rehabbing a torn Achilles when he suffered the same injury in January. Two seasons in a row ended with injuries for Watson, who is 9-10 as a starter since being acquired from the Houston Texans for six draft picks and signing a guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. Half of those draft picks were first-round selections.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry had been staunch defenders of Watson’s ability and status as the team’s starter until the offseason, when cracks in the commitment level to Watson being a centerpiece of the franchise began to appear. When principal owner Jimmy Haslam said in March that the Browns were recovering from the mistake of “thinking we had a quarterback and didn’t have one,” the door opened even more for Cleveland to move in a new direction.

Watson, who turns 30 in September, denies he’ll miss the regular season, but all signs point to Watson being unavailable deep into the 2025 schedule.

He counts nearly $36 million against the 2025 salary cap and following a number of restructures, his cap hit is $80.7 million in 2026.

Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. also was placed on the PUP list. Hall is recovering from a knee injury he sustained in the final game of the 2024 season against the Baltimore Ravens.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, center, poses for a portrait with general manager Andrew Berry, left, and coach Kevin Stefanski during Watson's introductory news conference on March 26, 2022, at the Browns training facility in Berea.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson on mission to prove doubters wrong

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Deshaun Watson might miss part or all of the 2025 season and hears the whispers of his demise as doubts multiply about his ability to rediscover the form that tempted the Cleveland Browns into acquiring him from the Houston Texans three years ago.

Watson is recovering from a pair of Achilles tendon surgeries in a span of less than four months. He played in 19 of a possible 51 games with the Browns since being acquired from the Texans in March 2022, a deal Cleveland made despite the quarterback being accused of committing sexual improprieties by more than two dozen massage therapists in the Houston area.

Even Browns owner Jimmy Haslam went on the record last month to label the trade a “swing and miss,” a major revelation considering it came from the individual approving Watson’s checks.

Watson posted a brief video addressing the doubters on Thursday.

“Everyone is doubting me. Everyone don’t believe in me,” Watson said in a video posted to Instagram. “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.”

The Browns acquired Watson in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024, along with a 2023 third-round pick, and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024. In return, they received Watson — 9-10 as a starter with the Browns — and a 2024 sixth-round pick.

The Browns finally are back in the first round of the draft and hold the No. 2 overall pick in the April 24 draft. With only Watson and recently acquired Kenny Pickett on the roster, Cleveland has a hole to dig out of, according to Haslam.

Before he played a game for the Browns, the franchise signed Watson, who then had three Pro Bowl selections to his credit, to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. He is still owed $92 million.

“We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun,” Haslam said last month. “We thought we had the quarterback, we didn’t, and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole. (It) was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee (Haslam, Jimmy’s wife and franchise co-owner) and I, so hold us accountable.”

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) attempts a pass during the second half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Report: Browns to start QB Jameis Winston vs. Ravens

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The Cleveland Browns are counting on Jameis Winston to start at quarterback at home on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, The Athletic reported Wednesday.

He will replace Deshaun Watson, who ruptured his right Achilles tendon when he appeared to hyperextend his leg on a non-contact play last Sunday in the team’s 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Browns were 1-6 under Watson.

After the injury, the Browns turned to second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and he suffered a finger injury in the fourth quarter.

With Watson out for the season and Thompson-Robinson’s availability uncertain, the Browns signed Bailey Zappe off the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad on Tuesday.

Winston, 30, was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers. After starting the first five seasons for Tampa Bay, he spent four seasons in a backup role with the New Orleans Saints before signing a one-year deal with the Browns.

He’ll be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Winston has appeared in 98 games (80 starts) with a 34-46-0 record as a starter. He has a career 61.1 percent completion percentage, throwing for 22,187 yards with 142 TDs and 99 interceptions.

Against the AFC North-leading Ravens (5-2), Winston will become the 39th starting quarterback for the Browns since their return to Cleveland in 1999, when No. 1 overall draft pick Tim Couch manned the position.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Bailey Zappe (19) arrives prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Browns zap QB Bailey Zappe from KC practice squad

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bailey Zappe was added to a convoluted quarterback picture in Cleveland on Tuesday as the Browns chart a course on offense without Deshaun Watson.

The Browns signed Zappe off of the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad and he’s the only quarterback in the rearranged quarterback room in Cleveland who is thought to be fully healthy.

Zappe made eight career starts with the New England Patriots, including a win over the Browns in Cleveland in 2022 when he passed for a career-high 309 yards and had two TD passes. He was a fourth-round pick in 2022 and has 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions in 14 appearances.

Watson is out for the season due to a season-ending Achilles injury suffered last week against Cincinnati. Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaced Watson last week but exited with a finger injury. Jameis Winston would become the starter if Thompson-Robinson is unavailable with Zappe as the backup. Thompson-Robinson was 11 of 24 with two interceptions before leaving the game.

Winston entered the game on the final drive of the Week 7 loss to the Bengals with just under four minutes remaining. He threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku with 1:27 remaining, then connected with Cedric Tillman for the two-point conversion.

Winston was the No. 3 quarterback last week for the first time after serving as Watson’s backup for the first six weeks of the regular season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) celebrates after a run against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chiefs rule out JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jaylen Watson for Week 8

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The Kansas City Chiefs already have ruled out wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for their Week 8 game due to a hamstring injury.

Coach Andy Reid also ruled out starting cornerback Jaylen Watson on Monday. Watson, 26, reportedly suffered a fractured ankle and could be done for the season.

Smith-Schuster, 27, left Sunday’s 28-18 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter after aggravating the hamstring he first injured Thursday in practice. He was not targeted prior to exiting.

Smith-Schuster has nine catches for 147 yards and a touchdown in six games (three starts) this season.

Watson was on crutches and wearing a cast after the game. He was having tests Monday to determine the severity of the injury and whether he could return this season.

Watson has recorded six passes defensed and 32 tackles through six starts.

The Chiefs (6-0) visit the Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media