Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered another torn Achilles tendon and underwent a second surgery to repair it on Thursday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports. Watson could miss the entire 2025 season, making the Browns’ search for a quarterback even more urgent.

General manager Andrew Berry said earlier this week that Watson suffered a setback in his rehab, which was discovered during a season-ending physical. An MRI later showed the new tear.

Watson originally tore his right Achilles tendon on October 20th.

This marked the second straight year his season was canceled after Watson missed the final eight games of 2023 following surgery on his throwing shoulder. Watson has started just 19 games since the Browns traded three first-round picks and gave him a fully guaranteed $230 million deal ahead of the 2022 season.

The Browns owe Watson $46 million each of the next two seasons, and his cap hits are $72.9 million for 2025 and 2026.

The trade will go down as one of – if not the worst – in NFL history.

The Browns could sign a quarterback with the second overall pick.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson is the only other quarterback under contract for 2025. Jameis Winston will become an unrestricted free agent this season and Bailey Zappe will become a restricted free agent.