Getty Image
When Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson left a Week 7 game with what ended up being a torn Achilles, many thought it would be the end of his time in Cleveland. Even though there were years left on his deal, his tenure there had been a complete disaster.
But, it sounds like that may not be the plan for the Cleveland Browns. General Manager Andrew Berry certainly made it sound like Watson could be back at some point with the Browns.
Watson was aquired in a blockbuster trade from the Houston Texans prior to the 2022 season while he was under investigation for allegations of sexual impropriety with massage therapists. The Browns were hoping that Watson, who was also recovering from an injury when they acquired him, would return to form that made him a Pro Bowler in Houston. That never happened.
In nineteen starts, Watson went just 9-10 in Cleveland. In those games, he had just 19 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions and a success percentage of under 40%. This year was the worst he’s ever played, and the Browns went 1-6 in his starts because us his lackluster performance.
But, the Browns have a ton of money invested in him, and still have nearly $64 million in cap hits on his deal in 2025 and 2026. Cutting him wouldn’t help the team all that much.
Maybe that’s why Andrew Berry said it’s “always possible” that Deshaun Watson suits up for the Cleveland Browns again.
As bad as that sounds to Browns fans, that contract is such an albatross. It’s hard to see exactly how a situation that involves Watson leaving the Browns could play out. They could cut him and eat the cap hit, which is probably the most likely scenario. But, no general manager wants to eat over $60 million in dead money a year for the next two years.
Does this mean that the Browns won’t look for a quarterback this spring in the draft? It certainly could have an impact. They definitely do need to figure out a way forward, though.