Cleveland, we have a problem. The Browns are a floundering 1-5, Deshaun Watson has about as many passing yards as an average afternoon traffic jam, and fans are wondering if that $230 million deal they inked with Watson came with a refund policy. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. So now, as the Browns struggle to find their footing in the AFC North, the whispers are getting louder: Is it time to kick Watson to the curb and take a chance on the Colorado golden boy, Shedeur Sanders?
The Great Watson Wager: All In and All Out of Luck?
Deshaun Watson’s Cleveland tenure has been nothing short of, well, disappointing. Through six games, he’s thrown for just 1,050 yards with five touchdowns and three cringe-worthy interceptions. That’s right, 200 passing yards in a single game is apparently as elusive to Watson as a Browns playoff run. And with a QBR of 21.7—dead last in the league—it’s safe to say Watson’s performance is in need of a Hail Mary.
But here’s the kicker: dumping Watson is about as financially painful as it gets. With nearly $100 million in cap hits looming over the next couple of years, Cleveland is looking at a fiscal migraine if they decide to cut ties with their high-priced QB. On the other hand, keeping him around just delays the inevitable—another lost season, more fan frustration, and a whole lot of ‘what ifs?’
Enter Shedeur Sanders: The Answer to Cleveland’s Quarterback Conundrum?
Now, imagine this: the Browns finish the season with a record only a Bengals fan could love, securing the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Suddenly, the name Shedeur Sanders is floating around Berea, Ohio. The dual-threat dynamo, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, is lighting up the college football scene at Colorado, with a sky-high completion rate of 72.6% and 17 touchdowns in just six games. He’s fast, he’s accurate, and, let’s face it, he’s got that “Prime Time” swagger.
And while Watson was supposed to be the Browns’ knight in shining armor, these days he looks more like a guy wearing last year’s armor and holding a rusted sword. Could Shedeur be the hero Cleveland needs? He’s got the legs and the arm to electrify an offense, and with a rookie contract, the Browns could maybe, just maybe, escape the Watson saga without going completely bankrupt.
To Cut or Not to Cut? That’s the $100 Million Question
The Browns are in a bit of a pickle. On one hand, if they cut Watson now, they’d take on a cap hit so big, it would make the national debt blush—$99.8 million, roughly 36% of their 2025 salary cap. Ouch. If they hold onto him for another season and then cut him post-2025, that cap hit drops to a still-staggering $72.9 million. Basically, the Browns are paying a steep price whether Watson stays or goes, but holding onto him might give them time to groom Sanders into the star everyone knows he can be.
So, what’s the plan, Cleveland? Stick with Watson and hope for a miracle? Or roll the dice, take Shedeur Sanders, and start planning a Super Bowl parade down Euclid Avenue (yes, we’re talking years in advance, but dream big)?
Browns Fans: Optimistic or Cynical?
One thing’s for sure—Browns fans aren’t patient. After years of quarterback roulette, Watson was supposed to be the guy to bring stability. Instead, it’s been more like watching someone try to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions—frustrating, infuriating, and just plain sad. As the Browns look ahead to the rest of the season, one has to wonder if Watson’s future in Cleveland is as murky as Lake Erie in mid-January.
And if Shedeur Sanders does end up donning a Browns uniform, well, let’s just say we’ll see if he has the chops to finally break the dreaded Cleveland quarterback curse. Until then, Browns fans are left with their all-too-familiar mantra: “Maybe next year.”
Buckle up, Cleveland—it’s going to be a wild ride.