Deshaun Watson to Play in Final Preseason Game in Seattle.

BEREA, Ohio – One of the biggest questions this offseason: how much if at all will we see Deshaun Watson play in preseason? Well, we finally got some answers from Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski today as he confirmed that Watson would start in the Browns 3rd preseason game in Seattle vs the Seahawks.

Stefanski told the media Sunday that Watson will take the majority of reps during their joint practices with the Vikings this week. However, Stefanski continued to say that they will hold out Watson for their 2ndpreseason game Saturday vs the Vikings.

“We have a plan; I think it’s important to see how you come out of practice this week before you really make the final say on what you’re going to do in that last week,” Stefanski said after being asked if he had a plan on if he will play starters in the last preseason game in Seattle.

Stefanski was pushed even further when asked if Deshaun Watson would play if all goes well in practice. “Yeah, that’s the plan.”

This should not come as too much of a surprise. Since Watson was acquired in 2022, he has played in at least 1 preseason game; and played in two last year when the Browns had 4 preseason games instead of 3 due to them playing in the Hall of Fame Game.

However, there has not been a consistent pattern with Watson’s preseason action since he got to Cleveland. In 2022 he played the first preseason game in Jacksonville and did not play at all in the Browns next 2 games. Now, this was likely because Watson had to serve an 11-game suspension to start the year, and Stefanski and company were trying to give Jacoby Brissett as many reps as possible.

In 2023 he played in 2 of their 4 preseason games— the 2nd game of preseason vs the Commanders at home and 4th preseason game against the Chiefs in Arrowhead.

One thing is for certain, every season has had different variables that have affected Watson’s preseason playing time. While history tells us that Stefanski likes to play Watson in at least one preseason game, it was hard to pinpoint where Stefanski would pick his spot this year.

With Watson coming off a shoulder injury, Stefanski is making sure he is certain that Watson is not in harm’s way. Stefanski said Sunday that Watson is cleared for full contact but is looking to get the majority of his reps in a controlled environment vs the Vikings in practice.

“I do and I like that you can have controlled settings. I like that both sides can feel confident that their quarterbacks are going to stay upright.” Stefanski said when asked if he feels like they can get more done in a joint practice rather than a preseason game. “For us, sometimes you go through a game, and you don’t get a two-minute, per se, or the third and three doesn’t show up for you, those type of things. So, it allows us to really get intentional work, if you will.”

Stefanski and the Browns have maintained that they would slowly ramp up Watson while coming off his injury and it looks like they are not veering from that plan. Now that we know when Watson will make his preseason debut, there is one last question: How much will we see Watson play in Seattle?