Browns insider explains controversial Deshaun Watson social-media activity

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson received criticism from fans and media members for a social media post seemingly showing him on vacation amid his recovery from the ruptured Achilles he suffered on Oct. 20.

For a piece published Tuesday, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer offered an update on Watson's whereabouts. 

"Watson is following his prescribed recovery protocol, which involves going back and forth between Cleveland and Miami, where he purchased a home more than a year ago and where his personal trainer, Billy Voltaire, has a gym," Cabot explained. "The Browns helped formulate the rehab plan and fully approve of him alternating between the two cities." 

The Browns fell to 1-6 on the same day Watson went down with his latest injury and will enter this coming Sunday's home game versus the 12-1 Kansas City Chiefs at 3-10. Some have wondered why Watson isn't attending contests to support his teammates, but Cabot shared on Tuesday that the 29-year-old "hasn’t yet been cleared to be on the sidelines for a game" and "might not be for the rest of the season." 

The fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract the Browns gave Watson in March 2022 continues to be nothing short of a disaster for the organization. He's made just 19 regular-season starts during his Cleveland tenure, missed over half of the 2023 campaign because of a serious shoulder injury and played poorly this season before he tore his Achilles. Nevertheless, the Browns are expected to hold onto Watson through the upcoming offseason if only because they can't escape what remains of his deal. 

"Watson is eager to come back next season and try to get back on track," a source told Cabot. 

Multiple reporters have said over the past month that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam will give general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski an opportunity to right the ship following the franchise's lost season. Berry and Stefanski may ask Watson to compete for the starting job next summer, but Browns fans hoping the club will discard the former Houston Texans star before training camp practices begin will likely be disappointed.