Deshaun Watson has shown a noticeable decline in performance since his request to exit the Houston Texans.
Now, a growing concern arises regarding whether the Cleveland Browns players want their $230 million quarterback to continue being the franchise’s face.
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Watson faced another disappointing outing on Sunday, notably being outperformed by Dak Prescott during a 33-17 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys, a defeat that felt more severe than the score indicates, even attracting awkward commentary from Tom Brady.
The fans turned against the Browns, as they trailed 27-3 in the third quarter, and Watson’s performance in Week 1 was far from impressive.
The situation reached a concerning low when a teammate seemingly disregarded Watson’s attempt to help him up.
Footage captured veteran offensive lineman Joel Bitonio pushing Watson’s hand away while still on the ground.
« Joel Bitonio is a real one for this, » tweeted one fan.
« Shocking: People do not like Deshaun Watson, » another fan remarked.
« He’s getting the boot, like, seriously, » a third fan commented. « He played AWFUL. »
« That organization has a culture problem, » a fourth fan noted. « No wonder Deshaun doesn’t have confidence. Not defending this bum, but it’s starting to make sense. »
Watson struggled significantly in Week 1, completing only 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and achieving a 51.1 QB rating.
The larger issue lies in the hefty investment made by the Browns when other teams hesitated to sign him.
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Additionally, many Cleveland fans expressed a preference for Joe Flacco, who earned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year after Watson’s shoulder injury in Week 10 of the last season.
The 38-year-old Flacco guided the Browns to the playoffs, aiding Kevin Stefanski in narrowly defeating Houston’s DeMeco Ryans for Coach of the Year.
However, amid concerns of a divided locker room, the decision was made to let Flacco go, and once again, Cleveland placed their trust in Watson.
Watson’s commitment to the Browns in 2023 has drawn skepticism from both local fans and national analysts.
Now, a quarterback who commands an enormous $145 million salary cap hit in 2025-26 faces serious scrutiny regarding his long-term prospects with the team after just one game.
With seasoned quarterback Jameis Winston as the Browns’ backup, the team possesses too much talent on defense to accept another lackluster season under Watson’s leadership.
« How long before Jameis starts? » one fan inquired.
« There’s something going on in that locker room, » another noted. « This team is on the verge of implosion if they don’t manage the situation swiftly. »
The Texans’ choice to finally part ways with Watson in 2022 marked a turning point for both franchises.
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The Texans eventually found C.J. Stroud, who had an impressive debut in Week 1 and is now considered an MVP contender for this season.
Watson has been a liability for the Browns, who engaged in a controversial bidding war to acquire him, surrendering first-round picks for 2022, 2023, and 2024, along with a third-round pick in 2023 and a fourth-round pick in 2024.
Things became even more complicated when the Browns made Watson’s five-year, $230 million contract fully guaranteed.
Additionally, Watson faced accusations of sexual misconduct and harassment from over 20 women, which he has consistently denied, and has since settled 20 claims out of court.
A three-time Pro Bowler, he recorded a league-leading 4,823 passing yards in 2020.
However, he has led the Browns to only an 8-5 record and has participated in just 13 games over the last three-plus seasons.
His inability to remain healthy and secure postseason victories presents a significant challenge for Cleveland.
Granting him a $230 million guarantee while managing a potentially discontented locker room, especially after parting ways with the well-regarded Flacco, poses an even larger dilemma for the Browns.
The hometown fans have voiced their discontent with booing after just one game.
The Browns must confront the Watson dilemma they created unnecessarily.
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