As the Cleveland Browns grapple with a dismal 1-4 start to the 2024 NFL season, the spotlight shines squarely on quarterback Deshaun Watson. With his massive $230 million fully guaranteed contract weighing heavily on the franchise, fans and analysts alike are asking: is it time for the Browns to bid adieu to their controversial quarterback?
Watson’s performance on the field has been far from stellar, and the pressure is mounting. Having been sacked 26 times in just five games and failing to surpass 200 passing yards in any outing, his current passer rating of 74.8 is a stark reminder that he’s not playing up to expectations for a quarterback drawing nearly $50 million a year.
A Costly Investment Gone Wrong?
Deshaun Watson’s contract structure adds another layer of complexity to the situation. While he made a base salary of $1.2 million this year, his signing and restructure bonuses push his cap hit to an astonishing $46 million in 2025. With numbers like these, many are questioning whether this deal is one of the worst decisions in Cleveland Browns history.
The Browns currently rank dead last in the league for offensive performance, trailing even the struggling New England Patriots. Amidst the chaos surrounding Watson’s off-field issues, some experts, including sports analyst Nick Wright, suggest that a trade might be the only viable option left for the Browns.
The Trade Dilemma
Wright proposed a potential escape plan, stating, “Cleveland could find a team with plenty of cap space to trade Deshaun along with their own first-round pick just to facilitate the deal.” The challenge? If the Browns cut Watson this season, they’d face a staggering $200.7 million in dead cap. However, trading him next year could lessen that burden significantly, as it would reduce the dead cap to around $80 million, albeit still a steep hit.
The ramifications of Watson’s situation go beyond the football field. With multiple lawsuits against him, including recent allegations that have made headlines, the franchise’s reputation hangs in the balance. While Watson has settled 23 out of 24 lawsuits, the shadows of these controversies loom large. Just weeks ago, he settled a claim with a Houston-based woman alleging inappropriate behavior, further complicating his standing both legally and in the locker room.
Will the Browns Take the Leap?
The Browns invested heavily in acquiring Watson, trading away a total of six draft picks—including three first-round selections—yet he has only started 17 games since his arrival. Fans are left wondering if the team is desperate enough to trade him for far less than what they paid, perhaps even for a conditional seventh-round pick, as suggested by Wright.
As the season progresses, the pressure mounts. Can the Browns salvage their season while managing the fallout from Watson’s turbulent tenure? Or is it time to cut their losses and move forward? With a franchise that has long been searching for stability, the clock is ticking on Watson’s future in Cleveland, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
