The quarterback carousel that is the dumpster fire of the Cleveland Brown organization continues to go round and round. The latest news coming from Cleveland is that their “franchise” quarterback Deshaun Watson has re-ruptured his Achilles and could possibly miss the entire 2025 season!
The Browns have had more starting quarterbacks in the past 25 years than any other franchise in the NFL, and it doesn’t even seem close. The “Dawg Pound” made the trade for their QB in 2022 and may regret it every step of the way. What does this latest development mean for the Browns? What does the future hold for Watson?
Watson’s Time With Cleveland
When the Cleveland Browns thought they were moving away from the days of starting guys like Tim Couch or Ty Detmer at quarterback, they made a trade to bring in their “guy.” Deshaun Watson had gotten into some “massaging” trouble with the Houston Texans, and the Browns were there to “rub him down!”
Cleveland was hopeful when they gave up six draft picks for their new franchise QB. With this latest injury, the trade continues to look like one of the worst moves in sports history! Watson’s 9-10 record with the Browns may not be the worst part since he doesn’t seem to be able to stay on the field.
Since Watson’s departure, the Houston Texans have completely turned their franchise around. They ended up getting seven key players from the draft capital Cleveland provided and finding their starting quarterback, CJ Stroud. Even when healthy, Watson is a shell of what he once was. He has thrown a total of 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions over the span of 3 years with his second team. He has 2 years remaining on a 5-year $230 million deal that I’m sure fans don’t mind.
Browns Receive: Deshaun Watson, 2024 6th Round (Used in Jeudy Trade)
Texans Receive: 2022 1st Round (Gaurd, Kenyon Green), 2022 4th (RB, Dameon Pierce), 2023 1st (DE, Will Anderson), 2023 3rd (WR, Tank Dell), 2024 1st (CB, Kamari Lassiter and LB, Jamal Hill), 2024 4th (S, Calen Bullock)
Watson and Cleveland’s Next Move
This is simple: The two need a divorce! Cleveland has to mark this up as they got swindled by the Texans. The team has the second pick in the upcoming draft, where they could get one of the two top quarterback prospects in Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. They also have Jameis Winston. And let’s be honest, Winston is a serviceable quarterback. Once he became the starter, the offense, especially Jerry Jeudy, thrived at times.
On the other hand, Watson may need a change of scenery again. It seems like the experiment with the Browns may have run its course. There are other opportunities with other organizations that need a starting quarterback. The Raiders, Giants, and Saints come to mind for teams that may not find their future starting quarterback.
Final Thoughts
I think Deshaun Watson’s best days are behind him. Not only can he not stay on the field due to injuries, but the massage scandal may have taken his mind out of the game as well. He just doesn’t seem like the same guy he was in Houston. With the second pick, I would either trade down or take the best non-quarterback on your big board. Cleveland “swiped right” on Watson and when he showed up he wasn’t the guy in the pictures!
Take a chance with Winston; he is good enough to start in this league. This could really only happen to the Cleveland Browns! Oh yeah, remember that other guy they drafted number 1? The guy that had more commercials than wins with the organization? The guy they just gave up on? Oh, I must be talking about that Baker Mayfield guy! Yeah, he’s leading his Tampa Bay Bucs team into the playoffs for the second straight year.
