Report: Watson, Stefanski, GM Berry expected back with Browns in 2025
Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson, head coach Kevin Stefanski, and general manager Andrew Berry are all expected back with the Browns in 2025, sources told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
Stefanski and Berry signed extensions this offseason. Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam have been planning their return all season long, Jones adds. They were hired to their respective roles in 2020.
Watson suffered a torn Achilles in late October. It's unclear what his role will be in 2025, per Jones.
The 29-year-old Watson signed a five-year, $230-million contract with Cleveland in 2022 that runs through the 2026 season with a void year in 2027. It'd cost Cleveland $100-plus million to move on from Watson this offseason, and he has $72-million cap hits in 2025 and 2026, according to Over The Cap.
Watson has gone 9-10 in 19 starts with the Browns since being acquired for three first-round picks. He's thrown for 3,365 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season due to violating the league's personal conduct policy after being investigated for his involvement in numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and assault.
Out of 31 signal-callers who've played at least 750 snaps since 2022, Watson ranks 29th in EPA/play and 30th in completion percentage, according to Ben Baldwin's database.
Stefanski, 42, has won AP Coach of the Year twice since joining the Browns (2020, 2023). He holds a 40-40 record heading into Sunday's contest against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Browns are 3-10 through 13 games this season and are in last place in the AFC North.