That’s the only way I can describe the 2024 version of the Cleveland Browns. Mistake after mistake after mistake. Twelve seconds into the game against the Bengals and they’re already behind by a touchdown. I should’ve turned off the game and found something else to do with my afternoon. But I didn’t, because I’m a Browns fan and I don’t give up on my team. I’ll watch every game from now till the end of the season. I always do.
Did you know that Deshaun Watson over his last four quarters of play was 26 of 29 for 250 yards? Yep, the last half of the Eagles game and the first half of this game, prior to the injury, he was playing well. But that came to an end with what appears to be an Achilles tendon rupture. His recovery from this injury will be at least a year. The Browns did take out an insurance policy on Watson for $14.5 million according to Over The Cap, which will result in about $7 million in cap relief for 2024. If you’re hoping the Browns will move on from Watson because of this injury, sorry it’s not going to happen. Their only opportunity to move on is the beginning of the league year 2026. Then the team can designate him as a post June 1st cut and split his cap hit of $92 million over two years, 2026 & 2027. Similar to what the Broncos did with Russell Wilson this year. By 2026, again according to Over The Cap, the salary cap will be around $300 million and the Browns could still be competitive even with $46 million in dead cap space due to Watson’s contract. I expect him to be on the PUP list at the beginning of 2025.
As for this year, keep an eye on three players who could be traded for future assets. Greg Newsome, Za’Darius Smith and Quinton Jefferson. Has anyone else noticed Jefferson has been a healthy scratch the last two weeks since Michael Hall has returned? Who starts at quarterback will tell you if they’re going for wins or going for talent assessment. If DTR starts, it’s talent assessment and if Winston starts, they’re going for wins. You have to know what you have if your team is picking in the top five in the 2025 draft. Let me also add, Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry aren’t going anywhere. Jimmy Haslem will give them 2025 to fix this roster. If the same thing happens next year, all bets are off. So if you’re a blame Stefanski & Berry type of fan, sorry it isn’t happening this year.
Finally, I know Browns fans have been through a lot over the years. If you’re not my age or older, you don’t remember the last time the Browns won a championship. So you’ve become very anxious with your fandom. We live in an instant world right now, no one wants to wait till next year, people want to have an easy rationale to place blame at the feet of one person. I also understand if you go to the games in person, you’re paying a fortune for that privilege. You should be allowed to boo a bad product, but to cheer when a player gets hurt crosses the line. I don’t care how you feel about that player or what that player has done or not done; you should never cross that line. Then to get mad at the players teammates for calling you out because of the cheering, also crosses the line. Either own up to it or don’t do it. There’s a complicated dance NFL GM’s play with potential free agents every year that fans aren’t aware of, and it doesn’t help the process. Stay safe and Go Browns.