Breaking News: Deshaun Watson’s Name Removed from Browns Roster – QB Will Not Return This Season
April 21, 2025 – Cleveland, OH
In a shocking development that further shakes up an already turbulent offseason for the Cleveland Browns, quarterback Deshaun Watson has officially been removed from the team’s active roster. Sources confirm the star QB will not return for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season.
While the Browns organization has yet to release an official statement, insiders close to the situation say the move is tied to a combination of ongoing medical concerns and “irreconcilable tensions” with team leadership — particularly following the controversial firing of head coach Kevin Stefanski just hours earlier.
“This isn’t just an injury thing anymore,” one team source told reporters under the condition of anonymity. “There’s real friction. Deshaun hasn’t been in sync with this staff or the locker room for months.”
Multiple Factors at Play
Watson missed significant time during the 2024 season due to lingering shoulder issues, and while there had been hope for a fresh start in 2025, team insiders say the Browns quietly began exploring alternatives during the offseason.
Further complicating matters were multiple on-field arguments caught on camera between Watson and former coach Stefanski — moments that fans and analysts now point to as signs of deeper dysfunction.
With the quarterback removed from the roster and listed as “inactive indefinitely,” speculation is already swirling about a potential trade, buyout, or even full release — a move that would carry massive financial implications due to Watson’s historic guaranteed contract.
The Fallout Continues
This latest bombshell caps off one of the most dramatic 48-hour periods in recent Browns history. With Stefanski out, Deshaun sidelined, and the team facing a full rebuild yet again, fans and analysts alike are questioning the direction of the franchise.
“This is the kind of stuff you only see in Cleveland,” one local radio host said Monday morning. “You’ve got a quarterback on a $230 million guaranteed deal now off the roster and a head coach gone in the middle of spring. What’s the plan?”
As for who will step up behind center, veteran backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson is expected to lead the team during offseason training activities, with the Browns rumored to be eyeing a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft or free agency.
What’s Next for Watson?
While Watson’s future in Cleveland remains murky, there is no doubt teams across the league will be watching closely. Despite recent struggles, the former Pro Bowler’s talent remains undeniable — if he can stay healthy and clear the growing cloud of off-field controversy.
But for now, the Browns’ once-grand plan has officially unraveled.
