Big news in the AFC North unfolded on Monday, and it didn’t involve the Steelers. The Cleveland Browns announced that Deshaun Watson will be their starting quarterback for Week 1 as they face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium.
Could the Steelers End Watson’s Time in Cleveland?
Although this news doesn’t concern the Steelers directly, Pittsburgh could still play a significant role in possibly ending Watson’s career with the Browns. The Steelers will travel to Cleveland for a “Thursday Night Football” game in Week 4. If Watson struggles during that contest, as well as in the three games leading up to it, it could present the Browns with a prime opportunity to consider moving on from him.
Cleveland and Pittsburgh share one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL. If the Browns suffer a humiliating loss at home on national television, head coach Todd Monken may have to seriously think about making a change.
Following their Week 4 game against the Steelers, the Browns will have 10 days before their Week 5 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. This timeframe could let them bench Watson and start Shedeur Sanders if needed. Many teams treat the week after a Thursday night game as a mini bye week to make adjustments, and since the Browns brought the quarterback competition so close to the start of the season, it suggests Watson may not have a long leash.
The Browns’ first three games leading up to the Steelers will be against the Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. Two of these teams made the playoffs last season, with Tampa narrowly missing out.
Cleveland may face a strong chance of not winning any of their first three games. The Browns are unlikely to bench Watson before Week 4 against the Steelers, as they will have fewer than four days to prepare. This suggests Watson’s time in Cleveland could end after Week 4.
Watson Will Be a Free Agent After the Season
In 2022, the Browns made a significant move by trading for Watson. Cleveland sent three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a couple of fourth-round picks to the Houston Texans. The Browns also signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract.
Watson has played in only 19 games over four seasons. He was suspended for 11 games in 2022 due to sexual assault allegations and then played in just six games in 2023 because of a shoulder injury. He then tore his Achilles in the middle of the 2024 season, and he hasn’t played a regular season game since.
The 30-year-old quarterback will be a free agent after this season, and there is a good chance he may never play in the NFL again. If Watson cannot show signs of improvement, no team will want to sign him, even as a backup.
Watson better come out in the first few weeks and play like he did when he was a member of the Texans, or his NFL career could be over by October.
How Steelers Could Significantly Influence Conclusion of Deshaun Watson’s Browns Career