Deshaun Watson done for the season, but that doesn't mean the Browns will be too

The news that the Cleveland Browns' $230-million quarterback, Deshaun Watson, would be done for the season should devastate the franchise.  The team pushed all its chips into the center of the table on the controversial move to bring in Watson because of his talent. After the PR crisis and the rather pedestrian production on the […]

Ian Kayanja
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Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feature image via Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The news that the Cleveland Browns' $230-million quarterback, Deshaun Watson, would be done for the season should devastate the franchise. 

The team pushed all its chips into the center of the table on the controversial move to bring in Watson because of his talent. After the PR crisis and the rather pedestrian production on the field, it looked like the trade and the subsequent contract would finally pay off when Watson put together a mindboggling second half against the Baltimore Ravens. 

But with victory comes the fall. Watson will miss the rest of the season with a broken bone in his throwing shoulder, meaning that after two seasons, he will have only played in 12 games. Yet, his lack of appearances on the field in recent seasons will serve as a blessing. It has prepped the Browns to deal with extended life without him — avoiding true devastation.  

The Browns could be fine without Deshaun Watson

With Watson only playing in 12 games over the last two seasons, this offense has already gotten used to life without him. 

His extended absence isn't forcing the team to do anything new. The name of the game for the Browns is controlling the time of possession and relying on a stout defense to hold up its end of the bargain. That won't change, regardless of who is starting at quarterback. 

Then there is the unavoidable truth that Watson — when he has played — hasn't been good. 

Watson sits 23rd in the league in quarterback ratings (44.7). He sits behind names like Jordan Love, Sam Howell, and Derek Carr. To add, he only sits a few points above Desmond Ridder, who has been widely criticized as not a great thrower of the football. 

The Browns have won with an average-at-best quarterback in the games Watson has been available. That should be encouraging for the team's hopes of staying alive in a tight AFC North race. 

Watson also ranks 28th in expected yards per attempt, meaning he was rarely throwing the ball downfield and finding success. 

The Browns are a run first and second team. The defense has always been the calling card. With Watson out of the picture for the foreseeable future, that reality will be even more present for the rest of the season. 

Unfortunately, Watson's season ended as he appeared to be rounding into form. But reality suggests that the Browns will be just fine as long as they find a quarterback who doesn't turn the ball over at a high rate. 

Beaten, battered, and quarterback-less, the Browns are far from out of the AFC North race. 

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