Deshaun Watson has torn his Achilles tendon again and has already undergone surgery. This means that the quarterback is facing the prospect of missing the entire 2025 season.

Serious blow for Deshaun Watson: As NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Friday, the Cleveland Browns quarterback has torn his Achilles tendon again and has already had surgery.

This means that the 29-year-old is facing the end of the 2025 season.

Watson was in the middle of rehab for his first Achilles tendon tear, which he suffered in October’s Browns game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The first surgery took place on October 25.

Earlier this week, general manager Andrew Berry had already stated that Watson had suffered a setback in the rehab process. At that point, however, it was not yet clear how bad it was.

For the Browns and for Watson, the news comes as a shock in terms of planning for the upcoming season. Recently, it was increasingly being said that Cleveland should plan with him as the starter when Watson returns.

Watson successor in the draft?

However, the Browns have the opportunity to react due to their draft position. Cleveland is picking second and thus has a good chance of getting one of the top rookies in the class.

Watson had joined the Browns from the Houston Texans in a blockbuster trade in 2022. In Ohio, he received a fully guaranteed five-year contract worth $230 million. Cleveland sent the 2022, 2023 and 2024 first-round picks to Texas, among other things, to complete the trade.

However, Watson was never able to repay these investments in sporting terms, and he also made headlines for all the wrong reasons off the court. Numerous women accused him of sexual harassment, and a few months ago there were even allegations of rape against him.

Due to his contractual situation, however, it is virtually impossible to dismiss the playmaker. At least in sporting terms, the Watson era in Cleveland could now come to an end.