Deshaun Watson Injury And Impact On Cleveland Browns Future

The Deshaun Watson expirement with the Cleveland Browns has frequently confirmed to be a failure. The quarterback appeared in simply 12 video games over the course of his first two seasons with Cleveland resulting from each a suspension and a shoulder damage.

This got here after Watson was acquired in a blockbuster commerce with the Houston Texans forward of the 2022 season. He in the end signed a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract to assist facilitate the commerce. The apparent backdrop right here was Watson settling with two dozen ladies who had accused the previous Clemson star of sexual misconduct.

Clearly, Watson was going to be underneath a microscope the minute the three-time Professional Bowler took his first snap with Cleveland in 2022. That was magnified additional heading into Sunday’s residence date with the Cincinnti Bengals. Watson and the Browns’ entered the sport with a 1-5 document.

Speak has surrounded head coach Kevin Stefanski benching the high-priced quarterback. Although, he pushed again towards that chance following final week’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now, Stefanski can be compelled to go in a distinct path at quarterback shifting ahead. Watson suffered a severe lower-body damage late within the second quarter of Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Bengals. Nearly instantly, consideration turned to the likelihood that Watson tore his Achilles’. It’s one thing Stefanski touched on after the sport, just about confirming that the Browns do certainly consider Watson suffered a torn Achilles.

“Clearly, it does not look good with the damage,” Stefanski advised reporters after the sport, by way of ESPN. “So, I am going to give him a name right here in somewhat however … disillusioned for him. Any of our guys that you simply lose, you are disillusioned as a result of a lot this implies to them and the way laborious they work. It is powerful.”

Accidents of this ilk usually result in a few calendar yr of rehab. Brief-term, the Browns are just about caught with what they’ve at quarterback.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson changed Watson underneath heart Sunday. However he additionally exited with what could possibly be a long-term finger damage. Veteran Jameis Winston in the end took over and led the Browns to a landing in his brief time underneath heart.

The scene itself was ugly in Cleveland, with followers cheering Watson’s damage. No matter how you’re feeling a few quarterback or a participant, that represents newbie hour. Browns gamers agreed. Stefanski did, too.

“I do not suppose it is ever OK to cheer when somebody’s injured. I am positive it is not each particular person within the constructing doing that, however that is disappointing,” the Browns’ head coach advised reporters.

This got here after Watson was booed by Browns followers throughout pre-game introductions. Once more, it was a fully ugly scene.

Cleveland Browns Subsequent Transfer After Deshaun Watson Damage

At 1-6 on the season, these Browns are going nowhere quick. It is sensible to depend on both Thompson-Robinson or Winston underneath heart shifting ahead. For Cleveland, it’s not about how the rest of the season performs out. It’s extra in regards to the long-term impression of Watson’s damage.

The 29-year-old quarterback is underneath contract by the 2026 season. His mixed cap hits for these two seasons is a convincing $145-plus million. These are the baseline financials of Watson’s contract. However there’s much more to it.

Cleveland could be confronted with a $118.94 million useless cap hit if the crew have been to launch Watson after this season. Stated determine stands at $53.84 million after the 2025 marketing campaign.

It’s extremely unlikely that the Browns would take such an enormous useless cap hit this coming offseason. The likelier situation is that Cleveland rosters him subsequent season and strikes on from the quarterback forward of the 2026 marketing campaign.

Cleveland Browns May Now Tank For A Quarterback

Cleveland presently finds itself in place to land a excessive first-round decide within the 2025 NFL Draft.

On the floor, it will not make sense to exhaust a top-three choice on a sign caller with the cash Watson is owed shifting ahead. That’s simply on the floor.

If the Browns may land one of many prime quarterbacks within the draft, it will assist off-set what Watson is owed. That’s to say, a sign caller enjoying underneath a rookie contract. Assuming the whole lot performs out as anticipated, mentioned quarterback’s second contract wouldn’t come till Watson is totally off the Browns’ books.

Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), Cam Ward (Miami) and Carson Beck (Georgia) are all names to observe on this regard.

What I do know is that Watson has probably performed his ultimate snap in a Browns uniform. If that’s the case, it can go down as one of many worst trades and contracts in NFL historical past.