The Cleveland Browns, sitting at 3-10, reportedly plan to maintain their core leadership and roster heading into next season, including bringing back injured quarterback Deshaun Watson. According to CBS Sports, Watson, head coach Kevin Stefanski, and general manager Andrew Berry are all expected to return in 2025.
Stefanski, named the 2023 NFL Coach of the Year after guiding the Browns to a surprising playoff run, and Berry both received contract extensions earlier this year. Team owner Jimmy Haslam also recently confirmed their return during the NFL ownership meetings.
Watson, sidelined with a season-ending Achilles injury, has two more years remaining on his fully guaranteed $230 million contract. His deal includes $92 million guaranteed over the next two seasons, with a cap hit of $72.9 million each year. Releasing him would result in a staggering $172 million in dead cap penalties for 2025, effectively binding the Browns to the quarterback for the foreseeable future.
The Browns originally traded six draft picks—including three first-rounders—to acquire Watson from the Houston Texans in 2022 before signing him to the record-breaking contract.
Earlier this month, the NFL announced it had concluded its investigation into the latest allegations of sexual assault against Watson, determining that no formal disciplinary action would be taken.
