You can always count on the Cleveland Browns to stoke up some controversy and headlines. This time around, the story leans on (who else) Deshaun Watson, as the $230 million quarterback’s camp made some comments that did not exactly sit well among fans and analysts in the NFL.
Deshaun Watson Gets Bashed for ‘Framing’ Browns Situation Poorly
Watson’s spell in Ohio has been anything but successful. After his scandal, he never quite got back to who he was with the Houston Texans. His run with the Browns has been marred by injuries and poor play, leaving him battling a fifth-round draft pick for the starting job under center this offseason.
Despite his tumultuous stay at the Dawg Pound, however, Watson reportedly harbors no “ill will” toward the organization.
“Deshaun Watson holds no ill will toward Cleveland despite rocky tenure, believes Todd Monken’s offense can bring out his best,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler posted on Thursday, May 21.
The NFL world wasn’t impressed by the quarterback’s sentiment, though, bashing him for his poor perception of the situation.
“Deshaun Watson holds no ill will?” analyst Warren Sharp responded. “After the Browns gave him $230M fully guaranteed in 2022, he was suspended 11 games for sexual assault on dozens of women, strained his rotator cuff, fractured his shoulder & tore his Achilles twice… I’d say he’s fortunate to get another QB1 shot.”
“Absolutely flabbergasted at this framing,” NFL writer Arif Hasan posted.
Watson last won a game in Week 2 of the 2024 season, when he went 1-6 as a starter, recording a 51.1 PFSN QB Impact rating. Not only have injuries hampered his performance, but poor play in general has earned him many detractors.
“If someone gives me $230m, I promise not to hold any ill will towards them,” The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen wrote.
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“They’ve paid him $175 million to hardly play,” agent Andrew Brandt wrote. “Glad he has no ill will.”
“This is INSANE framing,” CBS Sports’ JP Acosta posted.
The five-year, $230 million contract that he signed in 2022 made him the then-highest-paid player in NFL history. Even today, four years later, he still carries one of the top five biggest cap hits in the league.
“The Browns traded 3 first-round picks and paid him $230 million for 19 starts in 69 games,” “The Dawgs” podcast wrote. “We put ourselves in difficult cap situations that will continue for years even after he’s gone… But good to know he holds no ill will toward the fans.”
“I would hold zero ill will toward anyone who gave me $320m GTD,” reporter Mike Chappell posted. “I could put up with a ton of sh**.”
It’ll take a Super Bowl MVP performance from the veteran before fans might be satisfied with his stay in Cleveland. Even then it’s a coin toss.
