Cleveland Browns Shocker: Star QB Deshaun Watson Traded in Blockbuster Deal Amid 2025 Rebuild
In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Cleveland Browns have traded embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson to an undisclosed team just weeks before the 2025 training camp kicks off, sources close to the organization revealed today. The trade, which reportedly involves multiple draft picks and a veteran player in return, marks a dramatic pivot for the Browns as they embrace a full-scale rebuild following a disappointing 2024 season.
Watson, acquired in a controversial 2022 trade that cost Cleveland significant draft capital and included a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, has been a lightning rod for criticism due to his inconsistent play and off-field issues. With Watson sidelined for much of the 2025 season due to an Achilles injury sustained last year, the Browns’ front office, led by GM Andrew Berry, decided to cut ties with the former Pro Bowler to clear cap space and refocus on developing younger talent.
The trade comes amid a heated four-way quarterback competition in Cleveland, featuring veteran Joe Flacco, former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett, and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Insiders suggest the Browns’ decision to move Watson signals confidence in Flacco as the short-term starter, with Sanders and Gabriel battling for the long-term role. However, the team is also rumored to be eyeing a top quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, with names like Penn State’s Drew Allar and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers circulating.
Adding to the drama, the trade has sparked speculation about Watson’s destination, with some reports hinting at a surprising AFC contender looking to bolster its roster for a playoff push. The Browns, meanwhile, are said to have gained a first-round pick in 2026, aligning with their strategy to stockpile assets after trading back in the 2025 draft.
Fans on X are buzzing about the news, with some calling it the “end of a disastrous era” for Cleveland, while others question whether the Browns can finally find stability at the quarterback position. The move also coincides with ongoing controversy surrounding the team’s proposed domed stadium in Brook Park, funded partly by $600 million in state funds, which has drawn legal challenges from a Cleveland law firm.
“This is a bold, necessary reset for the Browns,” said NFL analyst Mary Kay Cabot. “Trading Watson frees them from a financial and PR albatross, but the pressure is now on Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski to nail the quarterback situation and restore fan trust.”
The Browns have yet to comment officially, but a press conference is scheduled for tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates on this seismic shift in Cleveland’s football landscape
