Getty
Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland Browns training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in July (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Getty
Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland Browns training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in July (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Deshaun Watson was a big signing for the Cleveland Browns last season. The franchise signed him despite serious allegations against the QB. And on top of that, they gave him a huge contract deal. A new update on the salary cap hit that the Browns are taking for Watson divided the NFL world.
The Browns did not finish the 2022 season on a promising note. And the cap hit for 2023 has left the fans not knowing what to make of their future.
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The Deshaun Watson cap hit
Deshaun Watson is creating NFL history in the 2023 season without playing a snap. According to NFL analyst Warren Sharp, Watson’s 2023 cap hit stands at $54,993,000, which is the highest in NFL history. Not only that, but the Browns’ salary cap will also take the same hit all the way up till 2026.
This update has divided the fans in the NFL world. While many fans think Watson can justify the price, others think that it is a bad move. Here are some fan reactions.
This fan thinks the Browns will be fine if Watson plays like one of the top eight QBs.
If he plays like a top 7 or 8 QB they'll be fine. Judging him on 6 games last year after not having played football in 2 years is a snap judgment.
— Dave Parker (@AkronFan) February 20, 2023
Another fan is of the opinion that the Browns actually had no choice in the matter.
The Browns had no choice, they had to give it a shot.
— Dan Kelly (@DanielAKelly) February 20, 2023
This fan says Watson will become cheap soon after the other QBs get their extension.
Now do Lamar Jackson when he gets signed?
How about Joe burrows next extension?
Mahomes gonna be what soon?Watson was the first qb of the most previous cycle of QBs. Enjoy seeing Watson become cheap in like 2 years.
— Mike (@C2Cnerd22) February 20, 2023
Another fan wants to understand the logic behind the Browns signing Watson in the first place.
I seriously don’t understand the logic behind this signing
— Dominick Josepf (@J_PrestiGious) February 20, 2023
This fan points out that the Browns can restructure the deal to reduce the cap hit.
People are actually going to believe this to be true. Contract restructuring doesn’t exist right lol
— Jason Zellman 🇺🇦 (@JasonZellman) February 20, 2023
Another fan says that the move is a bad one on the part of the Browns.
Bad move
— Brandon Marshall Havener (@BrandonMHavener) February 20, 2023
The Browns traded multiple draft picks to get Watson in the 2022 offseason from the Houston Texans despite the sexual harassment allegations. But the QB could only play just six games for the franchise in the 2022 season due to his 11-game suspension.
The 2022 season
Deshaun Watson came in as an answer to the Browns’ offensive woes. But the franchise lost Baker Mayfield as he did not want to play as a second fiddle. And then came the big blow. The NFL suspended him for 11 games due to the sexual harassment charges he faced as a Texan.
He made his Browns debut against the Texans and went on to play the final six games of the season. Watson managed to throw 1,102 passing yards for the Browns. He threw seven touchdown passes but also threw five picks. Not the kind of performance the Browns expected when they signed him. Will he justify the huge deal that the franchise gave him?
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Written by
Edited by
Deepika Bhaduri