Why the Bengals can laugh at their AFC North rival's misfortune this offseason
The Cincinnati Bengals can laugh at the misfortune of the Cleveland Browns this offseason
The Cincinnati Bengals are the kings of the AFC North until further notice.
Cincinnati is coming off back-to-back AFC North division titles and they have the best quarterback/wide receiver duo in the division in Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase.
The AFC North runs through Cincinnati at this point.
But that doesn't mean the Bengals can just cruise. The AFC North is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. There's no room for error for Cincy. If they slip, one of the other teams could easily slide in front of the Bengals in the AFC North.
Despite the tough division, Cincinnati can at least take a moment to laugh at the misfortunes of one of their AFC North rivals.
I'm of course talking about the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns are in a bad spot thanks to their ill-advised decision to trade for Deshaun Watson last offseason.
Cleveland traded for Watson despite the sexual harassment allegations that were levied against the former Clemson standout.
Because of the allegations, the decision to trade for Watson was widely unpopular.
Add into the mix that Watson didn't play that well last season during his six games of action and you can see why the Browns are in an undesirable place.
That's not the part the Bengals should be laughing at though.
What makes this a really tough situation for Cleveland is Watson's exorbitant salary.
Watson's cap hit in 2023 will be $54.9 million.
It'll also be $54.9 million in 2024. And in 2025. And in 2026.
The dead cap hits in those years are $219 million, $164 million, $109 million, and $54 million, respectively.
In other words, the Browns are stuck with a controversial quarterback who failed to live up to expectations in 2022.
Now, Watson is still just 27 years old. So it's possible that he could regain his Pro Bowl form.
But he's going to have to play at a perennial NFL MVP level to justify that kind of salary. And the odds of that happening aren't good.
Bengals fans can laugh at the Browns' bad situation knowing that Cincy is set up to be a force in the AFC for years to come.
Featured image via Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
