Questions about Deshaun Watson or the Browns?
Deshaun Watson Today
HEYTC AIDeshaun Watson Rating Breakdown
Deshaun Watson Contract & Salary
Deshaun Watson 2025 Stats via ESPN
Should I Keep Deshaun Watson?
HEYTC AIDeshaun Watson did not play after re‑injuring his Achilles and has essentially provided no usable fantasy production, while the Browns finished 5-12 with the league’s worst FPI and ongoing uncertainty at quarterback. At his age and with repeated lower-body injuries plus a volatile team situation, his long‑term dynasty outlook is very poor and highly speculative.
Deshaun Watson Fantasy Projections & Matchup Analysis
Unless he costs literally your last roster spot in a very deep superflex league with no viable waiver QBs, he is not worth a keeper slot. In standard 1QB formats or any league where replacement-level starters are available, you should not spend any draft round or auction value to keep him given the combination of no 2025 production, serious re‑injury to his Achilles, and the Browns’ intent to keep him largely driven by contract rather than performance.
The Browns went 5-12 in 2025 with the league’s worst FPI and enter the offseason focused on sorting out a muddled quarterback depth chart after neither Dillon Gabriel nor Shedeur Sanders seized the job. Watson is expected to remain on the 2026 roster, but the combination of cap issues, a new offensive direction, and active consideration of other quarterbacks makes the situation highly unstable for dynasty purposes.
- Re-injured Achilles before 2025 and has not played since October 2025, severely clouding future effectiveness and availability.
- Cleveland’s 5-12 record, No. 32 FPI finish, and stated top offseason priority of ‘gaining clarity under center’ indicate no firm commitment to him as the long-term answer.
- The Browns are keeping him on the 2026 roster mainly due to contract constraints, while also evaluating other QB options, which caps his job security and upside.
Deshaun Watson Career Timeline
HEYTC AI2024-2025 1
Achilles injuries and missing entire 2025 season
In 2024, Watson’s season with the Browns ended in Week 7 after he suffered a ruptured Achilles, causing him to miss the final 10 games. He later required a second Achilles surgery in January to repair a new tear in the same tendon and ultimately did not play at all in the 2025 season, remaining on the physically unable to perform list as the Browns chose not to activate him.
2023 1
Season cut short by shoulder surgery
Watson’s 2023 season with the Cleveland Browns was cut short when he underwent surgery on his left shoulder, limiting him to just a portion of the year after returning from his 2022 suspension.
2022 1
Traded to Browns and signs fully guaranteed $230M deal
In 2022, Watson was traded from the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns and immediately signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract, one of the largest and most controversial deals in NFL history. He was suspended 11 games that season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy related to sexual misconduct allegations, and fined $5 million.
2020 1
Career-best passing season in Houston
Despite the Texans’ overall struggles in 2020, Watson posted career-best passing numbers, leading the NFL in passing yards and further establishing himself as one of the league’s top quarterbacks, though the team missed the playoffs.
2019 1
Back-to-back Pro Bowl and playoff run
Watson had another standout season in 2019 with the Texans, again being selected to the Pro Bowl while leading Houston to the postseason and orchestrating a dramatic comeback win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card round.
2018 1
First Pro Bowl selection with Texans
In 2018, Watson returned from his ACL injury to start all 16 games for the Houston Texans, leading them to the playoffs and earning his first Pro Bowl selection for his strong passing and dual-threat play.
2017 2
Rookie season ends with ACL injury
Watson’s promising rookie season with the Houston Texans was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during practice in early November 2017, landing him on injured reserve after only seven games.
Drafted by Houston Texans
Deshaun Watson was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft as the 12th overall pick, entering the league as a highly touted quarterback prospect after a standout college career at Clemson.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deshaun Watson
Is Deshaun Watson injured and will he play in the 2026 season?
Deshaun Watson fractured his right shoulder in Sunday's win over Baltimore and will miss the rest of this season. However, he is now fully recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season and will have the opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job in 2026.
How did Deshaun Watson perform in his most recent game?
Deshaun Watson did not play in recent games due to his shoulder injury sustained in Sunday's win over Baltimore. Prior to this injury, Watson had been unavailable for most of the 2025 season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon that required two surgeries.
Will Deshaun Watson remain with the Cleveland Browns in 2026?
Yes, Deshaun Watson will be with the Cleveland Browns for the 2026 season and will have the opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job. However, his role is uncertain as rookie Shedeur Sanders showed promise with a 3-4 record in seven starts, and the Browns have indicated they will explore the quarterback market.
Is Deshaun Watson ranked among the top 10 quarterbacks?
No, Deshaun Watson is currently ranked #42 on HeyTC's Daily AI Quarterback Rankings with an overall score of 11.04 tier, placing him well outside the top 10. This reflects his limited playing time and inconsistent performance since signing his five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns in 2022.
Who will Deshaun Watson's next opponent be in the 2026 season?
Specific upcoming opponents for Deshaun Watson in the 2026 season have not been detailed in current reports. Watson's immediate focus is competing for the starting quarterback position during the offseason after recovering from his shoulder injury.
What is the biggest storyline surrounding Deshaun Watson right now?
The biggest storyline is whether Deshaun Watson can reclaim the starting role after injuries derailed his tenure with the Browns. Since signing his $230 million contract in 2022, Watson has played only 19 regular-season games out of a possible 68 due to injuries and suspensions, while rookie Shedeur Sanders emerged as a potential long-term alternative during the 2025 season.