Deshaun Watson's injury setback reinforces idea Browns want new QB with No. 2 pick

Cleveland Browns fans may have mixed emotions upon hearing the latest update on quarterback Deshaun Watson, who suffered a torn  Achilles mid-game on Oct. 20 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Per multiple reports, Watson has suffered a torn Achilles for a second time and underwent another surgery to repair it Thursday. His status for the start of the 2025 season is now in doubt.

Watson has played just 19 games for the Browns since being traded from the Houston Texans in 2022. He missed 11 games of that season because of a suspension and part of 2023 with a different injury.

This season, Cleveland finished 3-14, earning the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Despite Watson's lengthy contract, which expires at the end of the 2026-27 season, reports emerged earlier this week that the team has been preparing to let him go.

Miami QB Cam Ward and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders appear to be the likeliest candidates for Cleveland with the No. 2 pick.

The Tennessee Titans, who own the No. 1 slot, could pick a QB to replace disappointing Will Levis or a top skill-position player such as Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, the wide receiver/cornerback for Colorado.

However, some insiders are hearing that teams only believe there's one first-round worthy quarterback, and it's not Sanders. So, if Tennessee chooses to address that position with Ward, Cleveland could be out of luck.

No timeline has been set for Watson's recovery, but if he has taken his last snap for the Browns, the team will have paid out $229.4M for just those 19 games played. That's roughly $12.073M per game.