Former Texans QB Deshaun Watson Gets Critical News After Reality Check
Watson, whom the Texans have since replaced with C.J. Stroud, was part of a larger conversation around the Browns’ QB situation heading into Week 5. BrownsZone.com’s Scott Petrak appeared on 92.3 The Fan on Monday with the sentiments.
Watson’s health was at the heart of Petrak’s lack of faith in his seeing the field for the Browns this season. The Browns also had options like rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
The Browns named Gabriel the starter in Week 5 after relieving Joe Flacco in Week 4.
Watson is still on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list as he recovers from a re-torn Achilles tendon, so he was never an option in this decision. He has posted workout videos, but he has yet to return to official team work.
“There’s differences between working by yourself and working out in the fieldhouse and running around and throwing [and saying], ‘Okay, let’s start this clock,’” BrownsZone.com’s Scott Petrak said on 92.3 The Fan’s “Baskin and Phelps” on September 29.
“We’ve always heard October, and October starts tomorrow. Is it right at the beginning of October, or is it a couple weeks in? My guess is it won’t be this week [that] we’ll get the activation, but I think it’s coming. But we’ll see. There is a difference, like I said, between working out on your own and ‘Okay, am I ready to go play in a football game?’”
Deshaun Watson Could Be Stuck on Browns’ Bench
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Watson, 30, has completed 61.2% of his passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions during his three seasons with the Browns. He has started 19 games in that span due to various injuries.
“I think all along, the organization has thought it would be – I don’t know if [calling it] a ‘long shot’ is too strong, but for Watson to play this year. They were not counting on him. I still don’t think they’re counting on him. I know he’s pushing really hard to get back and prove that he can play. So, I would say probably not this week, but I can’t say that for sure,” Petrak said.
“The trade bait thing is interesting, … I don’t know if anybody’d be willing to trade for that contract. I don’t know what the Browns would have to do to make somebody [take it on].”
Watson is signed through 2026 on a five-year, $230 million contract.
He has a $46 million cap hit next season. The Browns can cut him next summer, but they would incur an $80 million dead cap hit without any savings. With a post-June 1 trade in 2026, the Browns would still incur $34.7 million in dead money.
However, they would save $46 million.
Deshaun Watson Faces Trade Conundrum
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns watches on the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams.
A trade this season would take on more than $34 million in dead cap charges while saving just over $1 million. Moreover, Watson’s recent film will not entice potential suitors into surrendering draft capital and/or players to the Browns for the ex-Texans QB.
“For another team to want to trade for him, he’d have to play great enough. Then, the Browns would have to consider keeping him, right? Because they’re already paying him for next year, and I feel like that ship has sailed. And I don’t know why we would think that he would be better this year after not having played forever, and being bad for the last however many games we saw him play,” Petrak said.
“This is about moving forward, and you have two rookies that I would want to see at some point if this season goes like it looks it’s going to go. I just don’t see a huge upside. I feel like the organization wants to move past Deshaun Watson. And they’ll be able to just kind of bite the bullet and take that contractual, take it all on in the offseason and move on from him. I feel like that’s been the plan, but plans change.”
Stefanski was disgusted at Deshaun Watson here.
The Browns were going to go for it on 4th-and-Goal, but instead take the delay of game and kick the Field Goal.
Watson simply has no command of the Offense right now.
pic.twitter.com/czT0PJNW6D— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 6, 2024
“If you convince me that if he played, you could trade him, then yeah, I could see playing him,” Petrak said. “Given him versus Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders, I’d prefer to see those guys.”
The Browns opted to go with youth, at least while the former Texans star, Watson, rehabs.
Pete Carroll Declares Confidence: "We Will Make Daniel Jones Struggle – No One Can Easily Overcome Our Team!"
Pete Carroll, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, is never one to shy away from a challenge, and his latest statement before facing off against the Indianapolis Colts is no exception. As the Seahawks prepare to take on the Colts and their rejuvenated quarterback, Daniel Jones, Carroll has issued a bold proclamation:
Jones, who has had a remarkable start to the 2025 season, has made waves since joining the Colts. After his tumultuous time with the New York Giants, he signed a one-year, $14 million contract with Indianapolis and has found success under head coach Shane Steichen. Through the first few weeks of the season, Jones displayed incredible poise, with a passer rating over 100, leading the Colts to a 3-0 record. However, his first loss of the season came in Week 4 when the Colts fell to the Los Angeles Rams, where Jones threw two interceptions and was sacked twice.
Despite Jones' impressive statistics and early success, Pete Carroll remains unshaken. The Seahawks' defensive mastermind has seen it all and knows how to make adjustments to take down even the most promising quarterbacks. Carroll isn’t just worried about Jones' arm, but he also emphasized the importance of limiting the Colts’ running game, particularly with Jonathan Taylor, who leads the NFL in rushing yards.
“We’re going to make it hard on them,” Carroll said. “They’ve been using the play-action game extensively, and that’s worked really well for them, especially with Jonathan Taylor being back there. But we’re ready. We know what’s coming, and we’re prepared to make Daniel Jones feel the pressure.”
With the Seahawks' defense known for its ability to adapt and respond to different offensive schemes, Carroll's confidence is backed by a track record of success. The defense is relentless, always pushing the envelope to disrupt the quarterback’s rhythm. Now, as the Seahawks face off against Jones and the Colts, it will be a true test of how well the Indianapolis offense can handle the pressure coming their way.
The battle between the two teams will not only determine who comes out on top in this game, but it could also set the tone for the remainder of the season. Carroll’s bold statement is a clear message to his players: they are ready for anything, and they won’t back down from any challenge.
