Deshaun Watson’s Browns Era Crumbling Amid Trade Rumors and Crowded QB Room
Cleveland once hoped Deshaun Watson would be their savior. Today, that vision looks more like a $230 million mirage. With mounting injuries, controversy, and inconsistent play, the former Pro Bowl quarterback is reportedly eyeing the exit—just as the Browns prepare to move on without him.
THERE HAVE BEEN RUMORS DESHAUN WATSON WANTS TO GET TRADED…
WHAT TEAM SHOULD TRADE FOR DESHAUN…? pic.twitter.com/YmpbIUIycb
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 23, 2025
Watson was supposed to reignite a franchise starved for stability. Instead, his tenure has been marked by off-field issues, two Achilles injuries, and a pedestrian 9-10 record since 2022. Thursday’s bombshell from MLFootball suggesting Watson may want a trade only added fuel to the fire. And while he was recently seen throwing at Browns facilities, that might not mean much in a quarterback room bursting at the seams.
The Browns haven’t stood still. They’ve stocked up on talent behind center—Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders now crowd the depth chart. For Watson, the writing is on the wall. According to head coach Kevin Stefanski’s latest updates, Watson isn’t even the presumed starter going into camp. That’s a stunning fall for a player once called “the future of the franchise.”
Former Browns standout Josh Cribbs speculated Watson could still fetch mid-round picks in a trade, but the numbers say otherwise. Since 2022, Watson has thrown 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions and failed to resemble his 2020 self. Even team owner Jimmy Haslam admitted the deal was a major misstep.
Financially, Cleveland is stuck. Watson’s guaranteed money makes an early release unthinkable. Cutting him before 2026 would trigger a record-breaking $172 million dead cap hit. So the Browns are forced to hope—or pray—for a revival that seems less likely with each passing day.
Meanwhile, rumors swirl about a possible landing spot in Miami. On paper, a pairing with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle could work. Watson’s earlier career success in Houston would complement Mike McDaniel’s system. But the risk? Immense. Miami already has Tua Tagovailoa, and Watson hasn’t looked sharp in three years.
Back in Cleveland, competition brews. Shedeur Sanders brings swagger. Joe Flacco still wants to prove he’s got gas left in the tank. Kenny Pickett is out to reset his narrative. And Dillon Gabriel offers untapped potential. Watson, by contrast, looks like a man whose moment passed.
What went wrong? Some insiders blame play-calling. Former coach Stump Mitchell claims the offense was awkwardly tailored to Watson, disrupting both chemistry and effectiveness. The experiment never quite fit.
So now, Watson’s time in Cleveland looks like a cautionary tale: bold ambition colliding with cruel reality. Once the most expensive bet in NFL history, he may soon become the league’s most infamous warning label.
Whether Miami or another team bites on a trade remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—Watson’s Cleveland chapter is nearing its final pages, and redemption will have to come elsewhere, if at all.