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While the Cleveland Browns slog through the final stretch of a disappointing regular season, carrying a 3-9 record that leaves their playoff hopes mathematically alive but realistically extinguished, the biggest storylines are playing out on the sidelines and in the stands. During the team’s recent clash with the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field, fans were treated to a glimpse of franchise royalty, though many barely recognized the man looking back at them.
A Hall of Famer’s Radical New Look
Joe Thomas, the legendary offensive lineman who anchored Cleveland’s front five for 11 seasons, was in attendance looking drastically different from his playing days. The 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, known for his reliability and size during a career that included an NFL-record 10,363 consecutive snaps, has undergone a stunning physical transformation.
Since retiring following the winless 2017 campaign—a season cut short by a torn tricep in his left arm—Thomas has shed approximately 50 pounds. The 40-year-old also shaved his signature beard, leaving him looking more like a competitive swimmer than a former trench warrior. Social media buzzed with reactions as cameras panned to him watching Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, with one fan noting on X that Thomas looked “skinny as hell now.”
Thomas has previously opened up about the unhealthy reality of maintaining an NFL lineman’s physique. To stay above 300 pounds, he was consuming between 6,000 and 7,000 calories daily, often relying on anti-inflammatories to manage the pain. “I was more eager to lose weight than almost anything in retirement,” Thomas told GQ. He described the “simple” fix to his diet: stop force-feeding himself until he felt sick. By cutting his caloric intake and stepping away from the “crap” he ate to maintain mass, the weight fell off, allowing him to enjoy a leaner, healthier post-football life.
An Unexpected Quarterback Development
While Thomas enjoys his retirement, the current roster is dealing with a surprising medical development regarding Deshaun Watson. In a move that stunned many league observers, the Browns officially opened the 21-day practice window for their franchise quarterback. This procedural move gives Watson three weeks to prove he is healthy enough to be activated to the 53-man roster, potentially setting the stage for a return to the field before the season concludes.
Watson’s 2024 campaign ended abruptly mid-season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. The recovery timeline was further complicated by reports that the ligament tore a second time post-operation, a setback that made a return before the 2025 season seem virtually impossible. However, Watson has reportedly cleared medical hurdles far ahead of schedule.
Coach Stefanski Manages Expectations
Despite the opening of the practice window, the organization is tempering expectations regarding imminent game action. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski emphasized that the immediate goal isn’t necessarily getting Watson into a game, but simply reintegrating him into football activities.
“I’m happy for him,” Stefanski noted. “His focus, and my focus, is obviously on getting him back to playing football and practicing—something he hasn’t done in over a year. It’s a good next step for him.”
Stefanski reiterated that the team’s primary focus remains on their upcoming matchup against the Tennessee Titans. When asked if the goal was to see Watson take a snap this season, the coach deflected, stating that the quarterback’s current objective is merely “putting a helmet on, putting shoulder pads on, and throwing a football.”
The Big Picture
The potential return of Watson adds another layer to a complex and often frustrating era for the franchise. Since the Browns traded three first-round picks and authorized a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract to acquire him in 2022, Watson’s tenure has been marred by suspensions, injuries, and inconsistent performance.
While his teammates have reportedly appreciated his support in meetings and on the sideline, it remains to be seen if this accelerated rehab will lead to a redemption arc on the field. For now, Cleveland fans are left watching a team in transition—celebrating the healthy transformation of a past hero while waiting to see if their current quarterback can overcome his own physical hurdles.
