NFL Rumors: Deshaun Watson's Injury Led to 'Different Energy' in Browns' Locker Room

The atmosphere in the Cleveland Browns' locker room became more positive after Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles tendon on Oct. 20 and stopped playing, according to The Athletic's Jason Lloyd.

"Players told me there was a constant heaviness surrounding Watson in the locker room and that they felt a different energy in the building upon his departure," Lloyd wrote.

Lloyd added: "A couple of veterans told me it felt like a cloud had been lifted."

According to Lloyd, Watson's mistakes through the first seven games of the season— including not passing to open receivers— were visible on game film, but not pointed out by head coach Kevin Stefanski.

That frustrated "at least a few veterans who believed Stefanski wouldn't criticize Watson in front of the team," Lloyd wrote.

According to these players, Stefanski "returned to pointing out the quarterback's mistakes in film sessions" once Jameis Winston had taken over for Watson in Week 8.

The Browns announced Friday that Watson had undergone a second surgery after re-rupturing his injured Achilles tendon. He could miss the entirety of the 2025 season, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Jameis Winston is set to hit free agency this offseason, and the Browns could decide to target a quarterback with their No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft.

The 2024 season was tumultuous for Watson even before Week 1. The quarterback was rehabbing from the throwing shoulder injury that led him to miss the last nine games of the 2023 regular season. He lost both his father and his college teammate and friend just before the start of the 2024 season.

In October, he settled a civil lawsuit filed by a woman claiming sexual assault and battery, which was the latest of at least 20 settlements the quarterback has reached since his playing career with the Houston Texans.

The Browns went 1-6 to start the season behind Watson. He had passed for 1,148 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions prior to his injury in Week 7.

Since signing his five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns in 2022, injuries and an 11-game suspension from the league have limited Watson to playing just 19 games in Cleveland. He has thrown for 3,365 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while not appearing in a playoff game over that span.

The Browns recently restructured Watson's contract in a move that will allow them to push his guaranteed money out into more void years. The $92 million in base salary remaining on his deal is still fully guaranteed, so Watson will continue to impact how the Browns build their team going forward even if he never plays another game in Cleveland.

Cleveland will now look to improve the mood around the team by reshaping their coaching staff next season. Stefanski is set to return, but offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson were let go immediately following the 3-14 campaign.

According to Lloyd, players believe former offensive line coach Bill Callahan left ahead of the 2024 season at least in because the team fired offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. Now that their replacements heading out after a single season, the Browns will hope to find long-term leaders on offense along with a long-term QB1 this offseason.