The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation continues to be the most discussed in all of football this offseason, with Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson vying for the starting job. The Browns would like to get it right before the season starts, but there are certain issues that have to be addressed.
What’s preventing Sanders from claiming the starting job?
Why Deshaun Watson’s Contract May Prevent Shedeur Sanders From Starting for the Browns
The Browns made one of the biggest investments in NFL history when they guaranteed Watson $230 million. After becoming a superstar with the Houston Texans, the quarterback was supposed to pick up right where he left off when he arrived in Cleveland.
However, the signal-caller’s career has deteriorated to the point where he has to fight a fifth-round draft pick for the starting job on one of the worst teams in the NFL. According to former Super Bowl champion LeSean McCoy, though, Watson’s contract remains the biggest factor in Cleveland’s quarterback room.
“I think he’ll start just because of the money,” McCoy said on “Speakeasy.” “Money does matter when you’re the owner. When you spend that money, you wanna see results. See, I know a lot of these guys… [Watson] ain’t watching tape… I was cheering for Deshaun Watson. When [the Browns] made that trade, I said it’s a great trade because he is that good, he is that special.”
Watson came from a four-year run with the Texans, where he recorded 14,539 passing yards, 104 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions (86.0 PFSN QB Impact in 2020). He also notched 1,677 rushing yards on 307 carries for 17 scores.
So far in Cleveland, however, he has 3,365 passing yards for 19 touchdowns and 12 picks to go with 465 rushing yards on 93 carries for three scores.
“A lot of the games, I’m thinking, ‘Who is this quarterback?'” McCoy added. “I’ve seen some crazy, bad plays from Deshaun Watson with the Browns. I don’t think he’s starting because he has a better chance to win — no.”
The fact that the front office has to weigh contract size as the determining factor in whether a player should start speaks to the team’s bad situation.
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“I think [he’s starting] because of the experience, he’s starting because of the money, and the truth is, a lot of these GMs, these guys in the front office, they don’t want to seem like they don’t know what they’re doing,” McCoy concluded. “There’s a lot of egos… So they’re hoping and praying that this guy can turn it around, because if he doesn’t, it’s gonna be one of the most laughable contracts that’s ever been done.”
It’ll be fascinating to see whether new head coach Todd Monken can finally scheme Watson out of his slump.
