Any Regrets?

By Mike Rifkin

Coming into the 2024 NFL season the quarterback under the most scrutiny was Deshaun Watson, and after his week one performance that scrutiny will get louder.  In the Browns’ 33-17 loss to the Cowboys, Watson was not good. Watson was 24-45 for 169 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Watson averaged 3.8 yards per completion in the loss, he was 0-10 on passes more than 15 air yards. In the first half he was 0-7 on passes more than five yards. But Sunday was just another scoop on the disaster Sundae that has been Deshaun Watson since he’s gone to Cleveland and got 230 million dollars guaranteed. 

Browns fans have waited a long time to have a franchise quarterback and were hopeful Watson would be that guy. If you include Sunday’s game Watson has 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 13 games. Joe Flacco was able to lead this same Browns team to the playoffs last season after Watson was injured. 

But while the Browns and their fanbase rejoiced thinking they upgraded the quarterback position, Baker Mayfield, the number one pick of the Browns in 2018 has become a steady quarterback. In four years with the Browns Mayfield threw 92 touchdowns and 52 interceptions. Mayfield also had a revolving door of coaches and coordinators in his time in Cleveland. After spending 2022 with the Panthers and Rams, Baker found himself a home in Tampa Bay. In 2023 Baker had 64.3 completion percentage, 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. In Sunday’s season opening win over the Commanders Baker was 24-30 for 289 yards and four touchdowns. 

Now we can talk about all the different philosophies behind why the Browns traded for Watson while still having Baker on the roster. But Baker isn’t the only thing the Watson trade revitalized. The Houston Texans, who traded Watson to Cleveland are a team people are watching in the AFC. In that trade for Watson the Texans acquired picks that became massive pieces of their franchise including receiver Tank Dell and defensive end Will Anderson. We’ll see what happens, but right now I think a fair question to ask is do the Browns regret what they did? For me, yes because you had to deal with Watson during his legal issues and on top of giving him 230 million dollars fully guaranteed. And yes while Baker may not have been my answer at quarterback, although his numbers were fine there, one has to wonder what the Browns, Baker and the Texans look like without that trade? But right now we can put that as one of the worst trades in league history, Deshaun Watson needs to play better to change that narrative, and the pressure is on.