The Cleveland Browns may have to make a bold move at quarterback ahead of the season.
Cleveland had a quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, and Watson looked like he was going to be named the starter. However, after the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Watson spoke at the press conference and took shots at Brows fans.
The veteran quarterback said he didn’t appreciate getting booed and will view it as 17 away games if he’s named the starter. It was a surprising take. Now NFL analyst Mike Florio believes Cleveland needs to move on from the ‘toxic situation’ with Watson.
“Here’s what we know. It’s a toxic situation that someone within the Browns organization should admit can’t continue,” Florio wrote. “At this point, it’s not about football or analytics or finding a way to get value for the investment. It’s about finding the best path forward for the team and for the player.
“In many cases, an organization will do only what’s right for the team, regardless of whether it’s right for the player. In this case, the interests are fully aligned. Watson clearly wants to move on. The Browns should want to do the same.”
After Watson’s comments and the Browns fans’ reactions, perhaps Cleveland does decide to go in a different direction at quarterback.
What Can Browns do With Watson?
Watson is in the final year of his five-year, $230 million deal, and it’s unlikely a team would want to trade for him.
Yet, Florio believes Cleveland could opt to simply release him or just keep him on the roster but not play him.
“The specific details of the divorce would require some thought,” Florio wrote. “The nuances of the accounting rules could make it impossible to execute the plan to layer lingering cap charges through 2030 if he’s cut or traded (if anyone would want to trade for his $1.3 million base salary, and if he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause).
“Even without a trade or an outright release, the two sides can do what the Texans did once the relationship between Watson and his former team was permanently fractured in 2021. Pay him to not play. This time around, the Browns would be paying Watson the last $1.3 million on his $230 million deal, while letting him leave a town that he no longer wants. And that arguably never wanted him.”
Regardless, the Watson fit with the Browns hasn’t worked, and after his latest comments, he shouldn’t get another chance to win the job.
Watson Calls out Fans
Browns fans had mixed feelings about the Watson trade, and the tenure hasn’t gone well due to injuries.
Watson has started just 19 games in four years with the Browns due to injuries, and he took shots at the fanbase after Saturday’s preseason game.
“The only time I feel that energy is when I’m in the stadium or it’s on social media,” Watson said. “Like I mentioned before, when I’m in public, no one’s mentioning anything. So I think that’s the only time those people who are holding it in is trying to disrupt the energy. Because on social media, players can’t respond back and in the stadium, players can’t respond back.
“So, I get it, I understand it. It is what it is. . . . I don’t know. It’s a mental battle every day. I feel like I get more love on road games than I do at home games. So if it is my spot and [coach Todd Monken] does make me the starter, maybe it’s 17 away games, then. I don’t know.”
It was a surprising comment, and now many Browns fans are hoping Watson doesn’t win the job.
Browns Urged to Make Bold Move Involving ‘Toxic’ Deshaun Watson Situation