There are a lot of big numbers associated with quarterback Deshaun Watson’s current situation with the Cleveland Browns. The biggest one, of course is the $230 million dollars on Watson’s monster contract, of which every single dollar is guaranteed. The next big number is 27, which represents the number of sexual assault lawsuits against the troubled Cleveland quarterback, including a new one that neither Watson or the Browns knew about when he signed his record-setting deal.
It's the smaller numbers that matter, though. The Browns are hoping that lone lawsuit might represent an early out on the disappointing deal, although that possibility is remote and the NFLPA would also be involved in any tooth-and-nail battle. Another small number to keep in mind is four, which represents the number of quarterbacks Cleveland surprisingly kept when the preseason ended, which may have foreshadowed Watson’s current situation. That number is now down to three, and it might have the most significant impact of all on where the Browns go from here.
The really small numbers are about Deshaun Watson’s performance so far
The ultimate small numbers that matter the most, though, are the ones that happen on the field. The Browns have been teasing the prospect of a healthy Watson for a couple of years, thinking they can get us to buy in on the idea that he can at least be a competent quarterback if they can get his injured shoulder right.
Not happening. Watson has been healthy at times in the last two years, but every time he supposedly is and plays poorly, his shoulder mysteriously comes back into play as a possible excuse. Meanwhile Watson’s numbers have cratered, and his days of being a daring playmaker are getting increasingly hard to remember.
His stats confirm the desultory story. Watson’s shoulder woes limited him to six games each in 2022 and 2023, and in both seasons he barely threw for a thousand yards. This year his completion percentage is under 60 percent, and he has just one TD to go with two picks in two gamess. It’s an incredibly low return for a very expensive trade, and the clock is ticking on Watson’s future in Cleveland.
The Browns do have options, but are they viable?
Options are few and far between at this point in the contract, but it comes down to two, really. One is Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who got his shot last year and proved he could be even more erratic than Watson.
That leaves them with Jameis Winston, who was signed during the offseason. Winston still has a big arm, and he’s shown that he’s more than willing to push the ball down the field. The problem is that he’ll complete passes for both teams, which makes for exciting games but erratic results.
The 1-1 Browns want to rely on their formidable defense to win games, so they’re slow-crawling a quarterback change for as long as they can. They were able to beat the Jags last week, but only because Jacksonville is a mess, as even QB Trevor Lawrence admitted.
That last lawsuit will play a role as well
Watson’s contract has already been restructured once, and the “good” news is that the amount due is just under $100 million. That’s not an amount Cleveland can easily punt on, but the precedent is there given that Denver basically did just that with Russell Wilson’s huge contract.
Meanwhile, the legal allegations are flying again. There are weekly social media posts from both parties, with Watson denying the allegations. It takes the focus away from the quarterback’s performance on the field, and it once again presents the franchise in the worst possible light. As the back and forth continues, Jameis Winston waits, and so do Browns fans as they wonder how long all of this can possibly continue.
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