Deshaun Watson has capitalized on the question of whether a man’s talent outweighs his problems.
His ability to play quarterback in the NFL — or the expected ability to play quarterback in the NFL — helped his professional career survive lawsuits and allegations of sexual misconduct from nearly two dozen Houston massage therapists.
Despite ugly, disturbing details and a looming NFL suspension, Cleveland sent three first-round draft picks, one third-round pick and two fourth-round picks to the Texans in exchange for Watson. The Browns subsequently signed Watson to a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal.
It was the ultimate sign that talent trumps all. Even in the NFL, where there is no shame, it was a breathtaking, bottom-line deal.
That second (or whatever number) chance for Watson was based on his play in Houston, particularly his 2020 season, in which he completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns (against just seven interceptions), and rushed for 444 yards and three more scores. The guy could play.
It is uncertain whether he can still do that.
To say this deal was a disaster for Cleveland is an understatement. And if there’s one thing the Browns know about their disasters, it’s that they have a desperate franchise that made a desperate move, willing to burn through any sense of morality for the promise of playoff success thanks to a true franchise quarterback.
Instead, Watson played in just six games in his first two seasons in Cleveland, never producing the consistent performance he did in Houston. His yards per attempt for the Texans was 8.3. In Cleveland, it’s just 6.2.
On Sunday, he was downright bad in a season-opening loss to Dallas — 24 of 45 for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The Browns lost 33-17. Many Cleveland fans booed him in the first half and left in the third quarter.
On Monday, Watson was hit with a new lawsuit alleging sexual abuse and assault, stemming from an alleged incident in 2020 while he was still in Houston. The allegations are similar to previous allegations.
Now that Watson is no longer performing on the field, will the Browns finally care about what he does off the field?
ProFootballTalk on Monday published details from Watson’s contract that suggest Cleveland could be taking action. The pertinent part:
“The Player hereby represents and warrants (except as otherwise disclosed to the Club in writing), as of the date hereof, that (1) the Player has not been charged, indicted, convicted of or complicit in any crime and/or offense involving fraud or moral turpitude, (ii) the Player has not engaged in any conduct which would subject him to an indictment, charge or conviction for any such offense, and (iii) no circumstances exist which would prevent the Player’s continued availability to the Club during the term of this Contract.”
In other words, did Watson disclose this alleged incident “in writing to the club,” which is now the subject of a lawsuit? If he did, then he is in compliance with the contract. If not, then perhaps not.
Watson is still owed more than $130 million and has a reported cap hit of $73 million over the next two seasons. If he played as he once did, Cleveland wouldn’t care how much business came his way.
But he isn’t.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski cited poor pass protection as a reason Watson struggled against the Cowboys. “He got hit way too much,” Stefanski said. “We can’t let that happen to him.”
That’s true, but that’s what happens in football when you give away six draft picks — including three first-rounders — that could have been used to build the offensive line. Plus, free-agent spending is limited because there’s so much money tied up in Watson.
If a quarterback wants to achieve this much, he has to be good enough to overcome other shortcomings.
So far, Watson has failed to do that, and his acquisition and contract in Cleveland rank among the worst in NFL history.
Talent, and the promise of that talent, has long saved Watson. But this is a new day, with a new claim that Cleveland might actually care this time.
