Why the Browns Should Dispose of a Three-Time Pro Bowl QB in 2026
Draped in an assortment of expensive jewelry and designer clothes, likely purchased in the years following the Cleveland Browns gift-wrapping him one of the most lucrative and idiotic contracts in the history of North American professional sports, Deshaun Watson took to the podium on Saturday after the Buffalo Bills dominated the home team 31-7. In a game in which he completed just five out of 12 passes for a measly 36 yards and one interception, you think the 30-year-old would speak with some much-needed humility. What followed instead was a tantrum, a tirade against the same Browns fans who paid an average price of $31 for a preseason blowout. If you wanted to take your kids to a game because the preseason is less expensive than the regular season, it would still cost over $150 to attend, including parking. Of course, Browns fans have watched their beloved team fail time and time again, and so they booed Watson following his departure on Saturday. In response, the man who has made an exuberant amount of money for what he’s done in Cleveland let it fly, calling fans “disrespectful” and claiming it has nothing to do with football.
What was most interesting about Watson’s meltdown was his saying he “regrets nothing”, despite paying an unknown, and likely unthinkably large, amount of out-of-court settlement payments to the over 20 women who accused him of sexual assault. Ask the Georgia native, and he'll tell you he doesn’t even regret that, let alone any of the countless times he’s let Cleveland fans down. Those fans who have suffered through one-win, two-win, no-win campaigns time and time again? Yeah, they have no right to voice their frustrations with an ethically questionable and skillfully woeful quarterback; it’s Deshaun’s world, and you’re just living in it. After all, he’s done “so much” for the community, so you better be grateful he calls Cleveland home!
Let’s call it like it is: this is a man who’s been pampered since high school, told how amazing and elite he is at every level, and let off the hook for multiple transgressions he caused on and off the field, time in and time out. The former Clemson Tiger was the delight of every teammate and every coach in college and during his time with the Houston Texans. However, following the allegations and the numerous bad games and non-contact injuries, Watson is upset that people are finally waking up. The limelight is leaving him, and he’s scared about what’s next. Shedeur Sanders was already turning heads with his play in practice, and his solid showing against the Bills might have just pushed him to the top of the depth chart and the Cleveland quarterback on the streets.
It’s going to be a huge detriment to the cap, but since they aren’t bringing him back next season anyhow, Andrew Berry and Jimmy Haslam need to rip the Band-Aid off. Berry can’t trade Watson because nobody would ever consider trading for him, and that’s just off his contract alone; the way he’s been playing makes it even worse. If the former Pro Bowler is going to complain and whine about everything around him and keep shying away from accountability, what does he provide to the team? It won’t save the season, but it’s time for Watson to pack his bags and leave Cleveland.
