The critical year of the Deshaun Watson era may be upon us.
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
(Last in a series of position recaps as Browns head into the 2024 player transaction season.)
Position group: Quarterback.
Players under contract: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, 24, (through 2026); Deshaun Watson, 28, (2026).
Players not under contract: Jeff Driskel, 30; Joe Flacco, 39; P.J. Walker, 28.
Position coaches: Ken Dorsey and Ashton Grant.
Overview: Remember when the Browns professed faith in Baker Mayfield in the latter half of the 2021 season and said they wanted the struggling quarterback back? It turned out they were researching a trade for Deshaun Watson as early as November of that year. So now, after two disappointing seasons with Watson, which were interrupted by an 11-game suspension, two shoulder injuries and a season-ending surgery to his right throwing shoulder, the Browns profess “excitement” about Watson’s future. But their actions told a different story again. Immediately after the 2023 season, in which they miraculously won 11 games despite having to play four quarterbacks, they removed Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator and replaced him with Ken Dorsey. They specifically cited Dorsey’s work with dual-threat quarterbacks Cam Newton and Josh Allen as the main attraction. Their actions effectively fingered Van Pelt as a scapegoat for Watson’s slow progress when on the field. In Watson’s absence down the stretch, Joe Flacco came off his couch in South Jersey and gave the offense an unexpected jolt with five 300-yard passing games. Not only did Flacco save the Browns’ playoff season, he served as a sobering reminder of what Watson has failed to do -- take the offense to a new level. All of which sets up a pivotal 2024 season for Watson and everyone involved in his expensive acquisition.
Issues: The Browns have paid out $92.09 million of the $230 million they fully guaranteed Watson over five years. They've gotten back seven wins in 11 games started (and finished) and not a single 300-yard passing game. Watson's $63.977 million cap number for 2024 must be lowered, which will require more conversion of salary to cash bonus, which kicks the can of his burdensome cap figures yet another year or two into the future. If the Browns learned anything in 2023, it’s that they need a veteran quarterback on call if Watson can’t stay healthy. Flacco would seem the best candidate, but a return is unlikely. Would they seek to bring back QB sneak-specialist Jacoby Brissett? Or might Dorsey influence the pursuit of a backup QB familiar to him from his days in Buffalo and to Northeast Ohio football fans, namely Mitch Trubisky?
Previously: