Should Browns try to move on from Watson after latest allegation?

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Should Browns try to move on from Deshaun Watson after latest allegation?

By Aaron Becker | Last updated Sep 10, 2024 11:37 AM ET

The Browns' trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson has been an utter failure thus far.

In 2022, Cleveland acquired Watson from the Houston Texans for a king's ransom, which included six draft picks and three first-round selections, and then handed him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.

Since then, the soon-to-be 29-year-old has played in only 13 games due to suspension and injuries and has thrown for just 2,386 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

To make matters worse, quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Browns' No. 1 overall pick in 2018 who was traded to the Carolina Panthers shortly after the acquisition of Watson, has undoubtedly outplayed him, too.

Deshaun Watson has only played in 13 games (vs. 30 games for Baker) since signing a FULLY GUARANTEED five-year, $230M contract

Watson has been worse in almost every significant stat since taking over for Baker Mayfield in Cleveland

(via @statmuse) pic.twitter.com/8l5CCwLmt4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 9, 2024

There's no going back to Mayfield since he signed a three-year, $100 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, but is it time for the team to move on from Watson?

The Browns arguably had better play from 39-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco last season and now they have another capable backup in veteran quarterback Jameis Winston.

Winston has had issues with turning the football over (99 career interceptions) since entering the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick in 2015, but he comes at a much cheaper price tag of $4 million and far fewer off-the-field issues.

Watson's deal currently ties him to Cleveland through the 2026 season, but that could soon change if the team wants to try to cut ties with him.

On Monday, a new civil lawsuit was filed in Houston accusing Watson of sexual assault and battery in October 2020.

Watson already served an 11-game suspension in 2022 after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions. But the Browns may have the grounds to remove themselves from the five-year deal thanks to his latest allegation.

Cleveland has to be smart in doing so because if it is unsuccessful, it could create even more of a problematic situation, but once the team decides it has seen enough of Watson, it can go all in on an attempt to move on from one of the worst trades in NFL history.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Aaron Becker

Aaron Becker is a Pittsburgh-based sports journalist, primarily covering the NFL and college football. He previously worked for the Kansas City Chiefs (2021-22), Pittsburgh Steelers (2019-21) and University of Pittsburgh (2018-19). Becker has a B

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