The Cleveland Browns entered the 2025 offseason hoping for clarity at quarterback, but instead, the drama surroundingDeshaun Watson’smassive contract and ongoing legal issues is fueling chaos inside the organization.
Once viewed as the team’s franchise savior, Watson now represents a growing distraction. His $230 million contract, the largest in NFL history, has hamstrung the Browns’ salary cap flexibility, limiting the front office’s ability to surround him with the talent needed to compete in a brutal AFC North. Meanwhile, Watson’s personal legal battles and allegations have become a constant media storm, making it difficult for the team to focus purely on football.
Locker room divide: The Watson-Sanders tension
Sources close to the Browns reveal increasing tension in the locker room, with some veterans reportedly frustrated by the spotlight that constantly follows Watson off the field.
Adding fuel to the fire, Dillon Gabriel, the other promising rookie quarterback competing for playing time, was noticeably left out of Watson’s recent bachelor party, sparking whispers of an internal rift.
“This isn’t just about football anymore,” one team insider said. “There’s a divide forming. Some players are loyal to Deshaun, others are quietly rooting for the young guys to take over. The drama is real, and it’s affecting the locker room vibe.”
As the Browns struggle to manage this storm, rookie Shedeur Sanders stands as the potential beneficiary of the turmoil. Many believe Sanders’ presence on the roster isn’t just about talent, it’s a strategic move by owner Jimmy Haslam to inject star power and salvage the team’s image amid Watson’s controversies.
A ticking clock and a brutal schedule
With an early season schedule loaded with powerhouses like the Bengals, Ravens, and Steelers, Cleveland faces a precarious path. How the team navigates Watson’s fallout could determine whether the Browns salvage their season or spiral deeper into disarray.
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