BREAKING: Cleveland Browns are reportedly set to trade $230 million QB to rival club
When the Cleveland Browns signed Deshaun Watson to a five-year, $230 million contract, many saw it as a transaction that could come back to haunt them one day.
Watson hasn’t done half as much for the Browns as he did with the Houston Texans, totaling 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in the 2020 season. In 12 games over his first two seasons in Cleveland, he accumulated 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Watson, who has the highest guaranteed salary in the NFL, has put the Browns in a difficult situation at quarterback.
But perhaps there is a way out. The Browns could always move the 28-year-old, as Marissa Myers of USA Today suggested. Myers projected Watson would be traded to the New York Giants.
“Things haven’t exactly worked out for Deshaun Watson since being traded to the Cleveland Browns, leading to their offense staying stagnant and not being able to get to where they can be,” Myers wrote on Sunday, August 2. “Cleveland needs a reset, which begins with dealing Watson.
“The New York Giants are in a position where they must succeed this season because Brian Daboll, along with the rest of the coaching staff, might be fired. Since the Giants extended Daniel Jones, he has failed to meet expectations and has held the team back on offense. They can’t afford the wait to see if he can completely grow into their franchise quarterback, therefore trading for a better quarterback.”
Watson Called Out on Multiple Fronts
Watson was suspended for 11 games and fined $5 million following a settlement between the NFL and NFLPA. He was suspended for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The Clemson product has been the center of attention over the past few years as more than two dozen women said he harassed or assaulted them during massage appointments. More than two dozen civil lawsuits against him were settled in confidential agreements.
According to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, he remarked about his character being “challenged,” and said the following.
“My character was being challenged,” Watson explained. “I know who I am, and many people are unaware of my history. I knew who I was, so they’re going by other people’s thoughts and what they’re saying.
“But, absolutely, I am a human. I prefer to be among individuals who are similar to me, and I believe that many others are. So, when anything is on your mind, you just have to turn around and forget about it. “It is what it is.”
Lloyd, on the other hand, believes Watson is acting like a victim and has “brought this all on himself.”
“But two years later, he still doesn’t comprehend why people may dislike him. Or understand why the community has been slow to accept him? Really?
“The uncomfortable truth in all of this is that if Watson can stay healthy and return to the form he showed in Houston — if he can thrive in this new offense — many Browns fans will eventually embrace him,” Lloyd wrote on the day of the game. “Winning is a deodorant, as Stefanski has often said.”
Browns Have the Weapons for Watson to Succeed
The Cleveland Browns have weapons on all sides of the ball. Watson has plenty of offensive options, including Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, and others.
After Joe Flacco took over this team last year while Watson was injured and found success, Watson needs to do the same for the Browns to have the season they want.
If he can be what he once was, the Browns appear to be in a terrific situation, comparable to when Flacco was performing. He led the squad to four consecutive wins and a playoff berth. Watson, given what he’s paid, should do something similar.
