News Summary
The Cleveland Browns face critical choices as quarterback Deshaun Watson’s potential return nears amid controversy over his hefty contract. Owner Jimmy Haslam has raised concerns about Watson’s $230 million deal, calling it a ‘big swing and miss.’ With Watson’s progress in rehabilitation being monitored, decisions regarding his activation or release loom large, impacting both the team’s financial stability and its roster dynamics in a highly competitive quarterback landscape.
Cleveland — The Cleveland Browns are facing significant decisions as the potential return of quarterback Deshaun Watson looms, bringing with it a wave of controversy. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam recently expressed concern over Watson’s monumental $230 million contract, describing it as a “big swing and miss.” As Halloween approaches, Watson’s performance could profoundly influence Haslam’s outlook on the future of the team.
Watson recently took to Instagram, posting a comeback video that featured Gunna’s track “made for this s**t,” signaling his determination to prove his doubters wrong. In the post, he captioned it “Motion Picture ⏳,” implying that time is running short for his chance to reclaim his position in the NFL.
As it stands, the Browns are grappling with a crucial choice regarding Watson’s status. They must determine whether to activate him from the physically unable to perform list or to release him. A release would trigger a staggering cap hit of $131 million in 2026, making it a financially complicated decision.
Coach Kevin Stefanski reported that Watson is making progress in his rehabilitation, although he has not yet participated in any team practices. The Browns have not yet opened Watson’s 21-day practice window, leading to speculation about his recovery timeline. It is anticipated that he could return from his Achilles injury by late October or early November, which raises questions about the team’s quarterback situation.
Current starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel is under pressure, especially with Shedeur Sanders also on the roster, leaving fans uncertain about the team’s play under center. Watson, for his part, has voiced confidence in overcoming the challenges he faces, indicating that he welcomes the chance to silence critics.
The Browns have experienced quarterback instability over the years, recently cleaning their quarterback roster to focus solely on Watson while adding Gabriel and Sanders through the draft. This move has resulted in a highly competitive quarterback environment, with evaluations of up to five different quarterbacks on the roster this season, including Joe Flacco, Gabriel, Sanders, Kenny Pickett, and Watson himself.
Opinions on Watson’s future are varied. Some analysts believe there is potential for improvement, while others are skeptical about his ability to regain his previous elite form. Compounding this uncertainty is the Browns’ considerable financial commitment to Watson, as releasing or trading him would result in an unprecedented dead-cap hit, which could hinder the team’s financial flexibility in the coming years.
The overall situation surrounding Deshaun Watson has become one of the most divisive narratives in the NFL, marred by off-field issues and inconsistent performance since his trade to Cleveland. As the team navigates these complex decisions, the effects of Watson’s potential comeback could resonate throughout the organization and beyond for years to come.
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Additional Resources
- Sports Illustrated: Deshaun Watson’s Return
- Wikipedia: Deshaun Watson
- Sportsnaut: Browns Turning to Watson?
- Google Search: Deshaun Watson Browns
- CBS Sports: Joe Flacco and Watson
- Google Scholar: Deshaun Watson NFL
- Dawgs By Nature: Flacco Trade Impacts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Deshaun Watson
- Browns Nation: Dillon Gabriel on Watson
- Google News: Deshaun Watson Injury Update
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