When the Cleveland Browns acquired Deshaun Watson in a blockbuster 2022 trade, the expectation was clear that he would be the franchise quarterback the organization had been searching for since its return to the league in 1999. Instead, the partnership has been marked by inconsistency, injuries and off-field controversy, culminating in a public call for Watson to consider retirement if he cannot reclaim the starting job this season.
That message came from Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take, where the outspoken analyst questioned whether Watson’s tenure in Cleveland can be salvaged.
Watson, who signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract upon arrival, has made just 19 starts in four seasons with the Browns, compiling a 9-10 record while completing 61% of his passes with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
“I’m going to bring up the name Deshaun Watson for this reason. When I see some of these stats for a guy who got $230 million guaranteed – 19 starts in four years, a 9-10 record, 61% completions, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions,” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take.
“My God, how awful can you be. There’s nowhere to go but up and Deshaun Watson is still getting paid.
“On national TV, I want to tell Deshaun Watson this: Considering Cleveland’s situation, combined with the money you’re still owed, if you cannot win the starting job in Cleveland this year, you need to retire. It’s over. You need to retire.”
Open competition under Todd Monken
Watson missed all of last season while recovering from two Achilles surgeries, but he is expected to be fully healthy when the Browns begin preparations for the upcoming campaign.
Despite his contract and pedigree, the team has signaled that no quarterback will be handed the job outright under new head coach Todd Monken.
“Sure, I think it’s an open competition,” Monken said at the NFL Combine. “I mean, I don’t why it wouldn’t be an open competition.
“I don’t mean that saying it harshly, but I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years one way or the other to say ‘boy, we have our starter at quarterback’ yet. Whether internally or externally.”
Monkens‘s comments underline the uncertainty that has defined the position. With Watson working his way back to full strength, the spotlight also falls on Shedeur Sanders, who endured a turbulent rookie season after slipping to the fifth round of the draft.
Sanders started seven games, going 3-4 while throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The raw production reflects growing pains, but Monken believes the talent foundation is there.
“I think what you see is elite playmaking ability. That’s in him,” Monken said. “You’ve seen it. We’ve seen it. You saw it in college. You saw it on tape last year.
“Sure, there’s a ways to go. But what rookie isn’t, I mean, what first year player doesn’t have a long way to go? So, I’m excited to get started with him and all of our quarterbacks and all of our players.”
A big opportunity for Shedeur Sanders
Smith emphasized that the new coaching dynamic could work in Sanders‘ favor:
“If you have those numbers and a new coach comes in and says he’s seen elite skill level traits within you, he’s giving you the benefit of the doubt. Which is a plus and better than what Shedeur Sanders had last year,” he said.
“Kevin Stefanski and his staff seemed very reluctant to bring him on board. When they brought him on board, they seemed very reluctant to give him an opportunity. When they gave him an opportunity, they seemed reluctant to let him shine.
“Bottom line, this is a better situation for Shedeur Sanders. We wish him luck and he has a lot to prove.”
For Watson, the stakes could not be clearer. A fully guaranteed contract provides financial security, but it does not shield him from performance scrutiny.
In a franchise desperate for stability under center, the upcoming quarterback battle may define not only the Browns‘ season, but also the future of Watson‘s career.
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