CLEVELAND – Deshaun Watson was absent from the field on Sunday as the Cleveland Browns faced yet another disappointing loss, this time a 27-10 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers. The echoes of his troubled tenure reverberated throughout Huntington Bank Field as fans exited, weighed down by a mix of frustration and despair over the team’s performance.
What began as a hopeful chapter following Watson’s arrival in 2022 has now morphed into a downward spiral of disillusionment. The expectation of competing for division championships, playoff appearances, and potentially a Super Bowl now feels like a distant fantasy. Despite boasting one of the league’s priciest rosters, the Browns are languishing at the bottom of their division with a record of 2-7.
“Everyone’s feeling the heat,” stated coach Kevin Stefanski during a Monday Zoom briefing. Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury, suffered just two weeks prior, has derailed both his projected comeback and the team’s aspirations. The quarterback was signed to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, a financial commitment that could be viewed as one of the more ill-fated deals in sports.
The ramifications of this contract extend beyond Watson’s performance on the field and the turmoil surrounding his off-field actions. The team is now squeezed financially, making any potential roster adjustments a complicated affair. Watson’s remaining salary of $46 million over the next two years raises the question of whether the Browns can afford to cut ties with him, even with billionaire owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam at the helm.
Once he completes his rehabilitation, there’s a possibility Watson could return as a backup, but his recent track record does not inspire confidence in his long-term viability as a starter. The Browns appear to be resetting their quarterback situation, and potentially much more, as they search for solutions.
Jameis Winston, who initially sparked the offense, fell back into old habits by tossing three interceptions in the recent game. Stefanski has indicated he intends to continue with Winston as the starter, but there is a growing desire to see more from second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Outside of the quarterback dilemma, the organization is facing various challenges with two months left in the season. Both Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry received contract extensions after last year’s playoff success, but the current season’s poor performance has put their jobs in question. Stefanski recently entrusted offensive duties to first-year coordinator Ken Dorsey, though it’s unclear if this was a voluntary decision or imposed.
Berry’s team-building strategy has come under scrutiny as well; Cleveland is short on depth at several positions, and his recent trade of Amari Cooper to Buffalo has stripped the team of a No. 1 wide receiver. With the trade deadline quickly approaching, rumors are swirling about potential trades, including defensive end Za’Darius Smith and tight end David Njoku being on the market.
The organization will need to face the music, and accountability for this disastrous season will likely fall somewhere within the ranks. Yet it’s essential to recognize that the woes extend beyond Watson alone. The silver lining is that the Browns have eight more games to address these issues, although this reality is equally daunting.
As for the current state of the team, the positive aspects are few. The offense has struggled to maintain momentum, with only fleeting moments of promise overshadowed by inconsistent play. At one point, the team managed a drive that lasted a mere 16 seconds in the third quarter.
On the defensive side, miscommunications were evident as the secondary allowed two touchdowns to Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert due to breakdowns attributed to safety Juan Thornhill and cornerback Denzel Ward. They acknowledged their errors, which exhibits a strong sense of team accountability but highlights areas that need significant improvement.
Myles Garrett showcased a return to form with three sacks, ending a four-game stretch without one. As the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, he expressed a desire to trade his personal success for team victories, proving that individual statistics mean little in the grand scheme.
Conversely, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., once a promising first-round pick, has found himself relegated to a backup role. He has struggled with injuries but will now serve as a swing tackle, with expectations to be ready if called upon.
The team has not disclosed much about linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who has been placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury, further depleting their roster.
In the opening half of the game, Cleveland only managed to produce 57 yards of total offense – a stark illustration of their struggles, with 29 yards rushing and 28 yards passing.
As the Browns prepare for a week of reflection and strategy redevelopment ahead of their matchup in New Orleans on November 17, Stefanski has indicated that no significant changes are anticipated during the bye week.