I couldnt read the article because of the paywall. However, what do you expect the organization to say? "He sucks, but we gotta roll the dice and see if theres anything left"? He is there for the duration of the contract, plain & simple. No statement, press release or anything else will change that. The only shot the Browns have is getting a Sam Darnold or Russell Wilson. Somebody on the relatively cheap end who can produce and make Watson an expensive backup. Either that or Watson actually plays like a competent starting QB
The Browns are giving Deshaun Watson a chance to come back and compete for the starting job in 2025, and it’s not just about the money.
The money is certainly a big part of it, given that the Browns would trigger a $119 million cap charge in 2025 if they designate him a post-June 1 cut or trade. That’s nearly half of the 2024 cap of $255.4 million, and would be untenable.
As it stands, Watson has cap charges of nearly $73 million in each of the next two seasons, and nearly $27 million in 2027. The Browns will likely restructure that deal again in the offseason, pushing more of the money forward and bringing the cap hit down to a much more manageable level. But the Browns are willing to allow Watson to at least compete for the job for more reasons than just the fact they’re paying him a boatload of money.
The Browns believe that Watson can still play at a high level, and that the first seven games of this season were not a true reflection of his ability. Granted, he was not without plenty of blame for the 1-6 record. He missed the open man a lot, and ran himself into too many sacks.
But the Browns also recognize that there were many extenuating circumstances in those first seven games that would’ve made it difficult for any quarterback to succeed. The Browns overhauled the offensive coaching staff and scheme, and it flopped miserably from the start for a number of reasons. The offensive tackles weren’t healthy in the early going coming off their knee surgeries, and either weren’t on the field or struggled. It includes two-time All-Pro right Jack Conklin, who missed the first five games, and left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., who missed three of the first four. In addition, right guard Wyatt Teller missed Weeks 4-7 with his knee injury.
Starting running back Nick Chubb missed the first six games, and No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper played poorly in the first seven games, leading the NFL in drops in that span — including several sure TDs — and catching only 45.3% of his passes. The presence of Cooper, despite his struggles, delayed the emergence of Jerry Jeudy as the No. 1 receiver.
The new spread-oriented offense installed largely by offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, was called by Kevin Stefanski, and Dorsey assumed the chore when Jameis Winston took over in Week 8 vs. the Ravens. By then, the Browns had Chubb back and most of their offensive line back healthy, and Winston had time to get the ball downfield.
This is not to say that Watson can come back from surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles and be their starter from Day 1. A lot of his game depends on mobility, and no one knows where he’ll be come September. He also hasn’t started a full season since 2020 in Houston, when he led the NFL with 4,823 yards and threw 33 touchdowns against only seven interceptions.
He’ll also be 30 next season coming off back-to-back season-ending surgeries, including his shoulder surgery in 2023. But he should be ready to practice at least on a limited basis at the start of training camp, and will have a chance to show he can still play winning ball.
The Browns are also realistic enough to know that it might not happen, and will have at least one other bona fide starter in camp who will either come in as the starter, or with a chance to compete for the starting job. That could be Winston or someone else. They’ll look for their potential next QB1 in the draft, free agency or a trade.
But Watson, who’s currently in a walking boot and right on schedule in his recovery, will be part of the mix one way or the other.
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