One quarterback Shedeur Sanders was not forced to wait behind this season was Deshaun Watson, at least by default. Watson is still recovering from his pair of Achilles injuries and has mostly been away from the team to rehab since the injury occurred.That changed in Week 12, with the quarterback joining Sanders on the team's trip to Las Vegas. The development led to backlash from the often outspoken Jason Whitlock.Posting on X on Sunday, Whitlock took a jab at Watson, all but accusing DeAndre Hopkins' former quarterback of having a seedy ulterior motive in relation to his numerous legal battles against accusations of sexual misconduct."Browns QB Deshaun Watson made his first road trip of the regular season and will be on the sideline today in Las Vegas, helping Shedeur Sanders in his first NFL start vs. the Raiders, as@MaryKayCabot reported," Schefter posted."Free trip to Vegas," Whitlock responded. "Anyone shocked Deshaun took this trip does not know Deshaun. What happens in Vegas massage parlors stays in Vegas."Ouch. Time eventually heals much, but it has not made Whitlock forget the story that took center stage for Browns fans, Houston Texans fans, and the NFL zeitgeist in 2021.Deshaun Watson hits first anniversary of initial Achilles injuryDeshaun Watson at Cincinnati Bengals v Cleveland Browns - NFL 2025 - Source: GettyDeshaun Watson had lost many NFL fans already by the time it happened, but when Watson went down with an Achilles tear, it all but forced the Cleveland Browns to turn the page. The injury took place on Oct. 20, 2024, against the Cincinnati Bengals.Watson did not play again in 2024, ending a disastrous year with a 1-6 record, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. According to a Jan. 10 report by ESPN, the Browns announced on that day that Watson had torn his Achilles tendon for a second time, requiring surgery. The second tear occurred off the field.According to Spotrac, the Browns quarterback's contract is set to continue through the 2026 season. If the team doesn't renew the deal (likely), Watson will be a free agent heading into the 2027 season.If Watson doesn't play another down for the franchise, he will finish his five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns with a 9-10 record, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.Of course, with one more year left and the team potentially filled with three quarterbacks already, a quarterback competition cannot entirely be ruled out, even if the Browns rig it from the start.Will Watson wear a Browns helmet again in 2026?