NFL Rumors: Browns 'Have Always Planned' to Draft QB in 2025 amid Watson's Injury

The Cleveland Browns "have always planned on going for a quarterback in the upcoming draft" independent of the health status of quarterback Deshaun Watson, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

Russini reported on her Scoop City podcast that picking a quarterback "is something that they've been focused on and adding a quarterback to that quarterback room is all part of the Cleveland Browns' plans."

Watson was limited to seven appearances in 2024 before rupturing an Achilles tendon. An injury that serious always has a lengthy recovery period, and Watson's status for the start of the 2025 season may not be a given after he experienced a setback in his rehab.

Echoing what Russini reported, general manager Andrew Berry indicated he's looking to bolster Cleveland's depth at quarterback regardless of where Watson is health-wise.

"It probably goes without saying that to reach that level of consistency, we have to have consistent availability and consistent performance at the QB position, as well," he told reporters. "And that's something that's been elusive for us for the past couple seasons. And that's something that we have to be able to fix and remedy."

At this point, it feels safe to assume Watson is never going to return to the heights he reached with the Houston Texans. In his three years with the Browns, he has averaged 177.1 passing yards per game and has 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. The three-time Pro Bowler has also played in just 19 games due to a combination of injuries and his 2022 suspension.

Cutting Watson now is out of the question because of the implications it would have on the Browns' salary cap situation. But the franchise shouldn't feel beholden to keeping him as the starter for the sake of the optics—he'd be the most expensive backup in NFL history.

By virtue of having the No. 2 overall pick, Cleveland can get the young franchise QB it desperately needs. Watson shouldn't factor into the front office's calculus much, if any at all, when it comes to a draft strategy.