Former No. 1 overall pick's pending signing with Browns gives QB Deshaun Watson new backup

The Browns' decision seemingly shuts the door on Joe Flacco's return; unless, of course, he goes unsigned in free agency and is another in-season addition.

That's a bridge Cleveland is hoping it doesn't need to cross this season. In fact, it's likely wishing Winston spends the entire season holding a clipboard considering what they poured into adding Watson in 2022.

It traded its 2022, 2023 and 2024 first-round picks, and 2023 third and 2024 fourth-rounders to the Texans for Watson, who didn't play the entire 2021 season.

Two years into his five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the Browns, Watson has only started 12 games, first due to a league suspension following a string of settlements in 20 of 24 sexual misconduct lawsuits against him in 2022 and then because of a shoulder injury last season.

Despite Cleveland's 5-1 record in his six 2023 starts, Watson hasn't been very good when he's played. Since 2022, he has 341 pass attempts, which ranks 42nd in the league, and among those quarterbacks, he ranks tied for 37th in completion percentage with Davis Mills and Bryce Young (59.8 percent).

He's also 34th in yards per attempt (6.5) and 35th in passer rating (81.7) while having the ninth-highest interception rate (2.6 percent) and sixth-highest sack rate (9.8 percent).

The Browns simply need Watson to be better. If not, head coach Kevin Stefanski could be forced to turn to Winston.

The former No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, Winston spent the past four seasons in New Orleans after playing in Tampa Bay during his first five.

Despite only attempting 334 passes during his four years with the Saints, he was beloved in the locker room and should be expected to provide that same spark for the Browns.

If he provides the same spark on the field, it means the Watson deal has only gotten worse.