Browns OC opens up about Deshaun Watson's impact on Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel

Going back to the start of springtime workouts, multiple stories noted how injured Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was serving as a mentor for rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

The Browns designated Watson for a return to practice on Wednesday. While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was asked about Watson's impact on the first-year pros throughout 2025. 

Deshaun Watson has been "great" for Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel

"Deshaun’s been so great throughout the year in the meeting room with the young guys, with the vets," Rees said, per the Browns' website. "I can’t say enough good things about him. I really can’t. And then his ability to be out there and see things and communicate, talk to those young players. Then, to also observe and learn from a guy that’s played at a really, really high level in this league and has been through a lot of the battles that young quarterbacks face."

Watson hasn't played since he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in October 2024, and he required a second surgery this past January after he re-injured his Achilles. Reports from this week indicated the Browns won't rush Watson back into action before the ongoing season concludes as long as Sanders and Gabriel stay healthy. However, it's unclear how the Browns would handle their quarterback situation if one or both first-year pros were sidelined. 

"We’ll see how things transpire," Rees said about Watson's return to the practice field. "Our focus is, let’s get Deshaun comfortable and better and feeling good, and then we’ll see where things go."

Cleveland has 21 days from Dec. 3 to elevate Watson to the active roster or place him on the physically unable to perform list for the rest of the season. 

Are Browns getting Deshaun Watson ready to play before Week 18?

Sanders went 1-1 in his first two regular-season starts, and he will get the nod when the 3-9 Browns host the 1-11 Tennessee Titans this coming Sunday. Previously, Gabriel started five of six Cleveland losses. 

Watson's future beyond Week 18 is very much up in the air, as he has made just 19 regular-season starts since he signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract as part of joining the Browns via a trade from the Houston Texans in March 2022. It sounds like Cleveland wants to ease him back into football-related activities before discussions about whether or not he will play this season get underway. 

"Make him comfortable, I think," Rees said about the team's short-term goals for Watson. "Get him back in the swing of things. Not put a ton of expectations on big picture, but, 'Hey, let’s get back into the swing of doing drills, back into the swing of throwing full speed routes to our receivers, our tight ends, getting comfortable at the line of scrimmage.' Get him back feeling comfortable in playing the position, and continue to work and improve where he’s at."