Deshaun Watson Speaks to Reporters at Browns Minicamp While Competing With Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson addressed reporters Wednesday after the team's second day of mandatory minicamp in Berea, Ohio. It was his first public appearance since he ruptured his right Achilles tendon on Oct. 20, 2024.

Watson underwent a second surgery in January 2025 to repair another rupture of the same tendon, which kept him out of the entire 2025 NFL season. He also had shoulder surgery in November 2023. Watson said he is now "fully healthy" and has not been 100 percent since first injuring his shoulder in the Browns' Week 3 game against the Titans in 2023.

He described the period since then as "a lot of ups and downs" and said he learned to be patient during rehabilitation. "It is very important" to get an opportunity to start again, Watson said. "I think each and every person that walks into the locker room should have that mindset that you want to start in this league," he added.

Watson, 30, is entering the fifth and final year of his fully guaranteed $230 million contract. He is competing with second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to be the Browns' starter. The Browns acquired Watson from the Houston Texans in March 2022 in exchange for three first-round draft picks.

Since then, he has appeared in 19 games because of suspension and injuries. 1. Watson began his tenure in Cleveland by serving an 11-game suspension and paying a $5 million fine after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.

He is a three-time Pro Bowler from his time with the Texans. ESPN reported the details of Watson's comments and medical history.