Deshaun Watson (Jeff Lange-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Is Deshaun Watson done playing in the NFL?

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam admitted for the first time last week that the 2022 trade for Watson was a failure.

It’s unclear if the quarterback will ever play another in-game down of football for the Cleveland Browns after Browns owner Jimmy Haslam stated that the club “took a big swing and miss with” the acquisition of Watson in March 2022 that included handing him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract.

Watson’s future with the Cleveland Browns might be over, and it seems the remainder of his career might be over as well.

That seems to be the opinion of one or more anonymous NFL employees.

Speaking to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, an unnamed executive from an NFC team and an unnamed NFL agent are sure that Deshaun Watson might not ever play in the NFL again.

“If released, I don’t see anyone picking him up,” the NFC unnamed executive said.

“And then, down the road, the question will be, will he take low-QB money? Would he even be motivated to play at that point?”

The agent told Oyefusi that the league tends to be forgiving of good quarterback play but stated that “some owners” could give Watson a chance if he proves that he’s healthy.

“The league is forgiving with quarterbacks that have exhibited high-level talent,” the unnamed agent told Oyefusi. “There is a shortage of good QB play. That’s why I think a team could take a chance on him if he proves healthy. Some owners could have a problem with that because of the past, but not all.”

Deshaun Watson Is Unlikely To Play In 2025

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images)

The Cleveland Browns took a massive gamble on Deshaun Watson.

Now, two years into his fully guaranteed $230 million contract, the team is well aware that things aren’t going to get better.

Watson underwent surgery in January after tearing his right Achilles tendon again.

Watson’s “recovery time and return to play status is uncertain, and he will likely miss significant time during the 2025 season,” the Browns said in a statement at the time.

In reality, even if he does recover in time, the team is unlikely to play him as they don’t want him injured and likely plan to part ways with him next offseason.