The 3-10 Browns are reportedly planning a rebuild next year, including the return of injured quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Watson, who is out for the season with an Achilles injury, is expected to return, as are head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry. According to CBS Sports.
Stefanski, who led Cleveland to a surprise playoff berth and was named the 2023 NFL Coach of the Year, and Berry both received contract extensions earlier this year. Team owner Jimmy Haslam had already hinted at the team's return at a recent owner's meeting.
Watson, 29, is signed for two more seasons at a guaranteed $92 million with a whopping cap hit of $72.9 million each season. Releasing him would result in a whopping $172 million dead cap hit in 2025.
The Browns gave up six draft picks, including three first-round picks, to acquire the quarterback from the Texans in 2022, then signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. .
Earlier this month, the NFL announced it had closed its investigation into the latest sexual assault allegations against Watson and the league would not take any formal action.
He previously faced 24 civil lawsuits from women alleging sexual assault and misconduct during massage sessions in 2020 and 2021 while with the Texans, and was suspended by the NFL for the first 11 games of the 2022 season. He was suspended from participating.
Watson denied the charges, but a grand jury ruled there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against him.
The three-time Pro Bowler appeared in just 19 games in his first three seasons with the Browns, posting an 80.7 passer rating, including seven games this year before getting injured in October. Included.
Watson also underwent shoulder surgery at the end of last season. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco led the Browns to the playoffs, but they lost to the Texans in the AFC Wild Card Round.
Despite a 3-10 record, the Browns entered Sunday's game against the Chiefs with the No. 8 pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, according to Tankasson.
