Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, may have secured the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history, but his position on the team isn’t guaranteed indefinitely. Mary Kay Cabot from Cleveland.com highlighted on the “Orange and Brown Talk” podcast that despite Watson’s high salary, the Browns possess a playoff-ready team that managed without him last season. If Watson struggles with injuries or performance issues in 2024, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is prepared to make a change without hesitation.
“They’re not going to sacrifice this season just in the name of ‘Oh, we spent three first-round picks on this guy and $230 million,’”Cabot remarked
. “That’s not how it’s going to go. They’ll do whatever it takes to win games. And whichever quarterback gives them the best chance to do that is who is going to be playing.”
Watson’s time with the Browns thus far has been disappointing, to say the least. In his first season with the team, he only managed to throw seven touchdowns while throwing five interceptions, and he appeared in just six games. This lackluster performance came after he was traded from the Houston Texans to Cleveland, alongside a 2024 sixth-round pick, in exchange for six draft picks, including three first-round selections.
Following his underwhelming debut season, Watson’s second year with the Browns didn’t fare much better. He attempted only 171 passes, accumulating 1,115 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions across six games before a season-ending shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Despite Cleveland’s substantial investment in Watson, signing him to a historic five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, the team has only managed to secure eight wins in the two years since his arrival.
“The bar is set at winning games, throwing touchdowns, avoiding interceptions, and keeping this team in the playoff hunt,” Cabot added. “If he’s not doing that, he’ll be treated like anybody else. … The bottom line is they’re trying to win games. They’re not going to let down the rest of the football team to have a long leash on someone.”
