Deshaun Watson’s future with Browns UNCERTAIN as he recovers from season-ending injury
Deshaun Watson may have played his last game as Browns' starting quarterback amid his season-ending injury.
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Cleveland Browns are undecided on future of Deshaun Watson (Image via Imago)
The Cleveland Browns are in a difficult situation this season. Their fans expected this to be the year when Deshaun Watson was to regain his form and take them deeper into the playoffs. But it has turned upside down, first due to his poor performance, and then with his season-ending injury.
The quarterback was expected to return to his three-time Pro Bowler form from his times with the Houston Texans. But in the seven games he played, he tallied the worst QBRs among active starting quarterbacks who played five games or more.
That led to the Cleveland Browns losing six of their first seven games in disappointing fashion. But what made it worse was that Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the loss to Cincinnati Bengals. If anything, the following week they won against the Super Bowl-contending Baltimore Ravens on the back of journeyman QB Jameis Winston.
Knowing all this, reporters at the bye week press conference had the most pertinent question to ask, that about the future of Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. Knowing his enormous contract is hanging around their necks, GM Andrew Berry had this to say.
Really our focus with Deshaun, I would say for any player with a season-ending injury and a major injury, is first and foremost and to make sure that he gets healthy from the Achilles injury. Everything else, we’ll deal with at a later moment.
GM Andrew Berry on Deshaun Watson’s situation
Andrew Berry did not mention clearly what they would do going forward. It could suggest that the team will wait to see how the season develops before taking a call. If Winston can drive the team out of the mud, it could complicate matters for his QB teammate.
Deshaun Watson could return as Cleveland Browns’ starter
The Cleveland Browns have eight games remaining. Out of those games, seven are against playoff hopefuls. Losses in those games could complicate the situation even further. The team has already traded out star wide receiver Amari Cooper and Za’Darius Smith.
Moves like these would suggest the team is willing to let go of overpriced veterans and look to draft or trade for younger players. A retooling method that will help them save up on cap space down the line until Watson is back. When asked if the QB can be their starter next season, Andrew Berry said.
Yeah, I think that’s always possible.
Andrew Berry on Deshaun Watson
This statement does not give a clear picture of the franchise and whether their decision-makers want Deshuan Watson back as their starter. A very noncommittal answer, considering they are evaluating everything they can do.
In 2025 and 2026, cutting Watson would leave $172 million and $99 million respectively in terms of dead cap hits. These numbers will severely impede them in their quest to return to the playoffs. It seems they will wait to see how the chips fall before making a decision.
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Joseph Varghese
(2265 Articles Published)