Browns make decision on $230 million quarterback as season winds down

Cleveland Browns legend Joe Thomas shared his confidence in rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who has settled in after a tumultuous start to his career.

The Cleveland Browns have made a decision on quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has not played this season due to injury.

Watson, whom the team activated at the beginning of the month off the physically unable to perform list, did not get added to the active roster at the conclusion of his 21-day window. 

Watson had been doing individual drills and running the scout team offense since being activated, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said it felt like the "right decision" not to activate him.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM 

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson watches from the sidelines against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, on Nov. 23, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

"Yeah, he’s done a great job with everything that’s been asked of him. I’ve gotten to see him just work so hard, whether it’s in the training room, by himself in the indoors with the trainers, on the practice field now for the last bit. But it just felt like this was the right decision for him and for us, and his focus will continue to be to help this football team and continue to get healthy and get stronger and all those types of things," Stefanski said during a press conference on Tuesday. 

Watson tore his right Achilles tendon in October and then re-tore it during rehab in January. Watson, who signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in March 2022, has been a major disappointment. 

STEELERS' MIKE TOMLIN LAMENTS 'VOLATILE RHETORIC' ACROSS SPORTS AFTER DK METCALF FAN ALTERCATION

Quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders