I have no idea why you think any of that changes the fact that Vrabel would not find success with this roster. I don't really have a problem with a turnover in this FO. That wasn't the point I addressed at all. Vrabel wouldn't have success with this roster any more than Stefanski is.
And then you call the actual record of the Steelers first 100 games as an "excuse". That's what people call facts when facts are not their friend.
PIT...lets deal with reality..Vrable would not and did not accept a roster provided by or similar to the roster Berry has provided to Stefanski.
Vrable took the NE job with a GM who came from a background in football, not analytics. There is no way Vrable would have agreed to the roster provided by Berry.
Vrablle took the HCing job in NE based on a GM he felt he could work with...not a Andrew Berry, analytics driven GM.
The Browns present roster is a product of the 2025 Browns braintrust.
BTW, when the Steelers made the change away from Art Rooney Sr and hired Chuck Noll, that is when the Steelers changed into a football powerhouse. If the Browns want to see change, there must be real change such as the Steelers and NE Patriots have done.
Once again you are using what you "think and feel" Vrabel might have decided rather than providing any factual information. You have no idea if Vrabel would have agreed to be the HC of the Browns because you have no way to know if he was ever offered the job. Pure conjecture is not a good case to build an argument on.
Since now it seems you have decided to focus on the real problem here, the roster, maybe you should stop railing against Stefanski? It seems you agree that even Vrabel would have failed and refused to take the job with the roster Berry has assembled. It seems you want to have it both ways.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Since now it seems you have decided to focus on the real problem here, the roster, maybe you should stop railing against Stefanski? It seems you agree that even Vrabel would have failed and refused to take the job with the roster Berry has assembled. It seems you want to have it both ways.
Pit..seems you are agreeing with me, that the Browns need real change if they are to succeed.
How much of a role did Stefanski have in picking and shaping the Browns current roster..? Notice, I didn't try to pick and choose who might be responsible for the Browns current situation..I just included the entire group who were in charge over the last 6 yrs or so.
There is nothing to be gained by looking back and trying to assess who might be responsible for what. If Haslam really wants to change the direction of his franchise he must wipe the slate clean and make the necessary changes.
How much of a role did Stefanski have in picking and shaping the Browns current roster..?
So you are asking a question which you have no answer to. The fact of the matter is a HC doesn't have any control or decisions in regards to the salary cap. He plays no part in how much can be afforded to be paid to FA's. So while he can request the "type of player" he would like at each position he can not dictate which players the FO and owner deems they can afford to sign.
And you aren't the only one who tries to claim he determines which players are drafted. I think by somewhat of your own admission you know better. You have focused for some time on the analytic department and I won't say I disagree with you in that regard, Stefanski plays no part in the analytics department. As you yourself have stated many times that Depo's baby. So a logical conclusion is that there would be no reason to have an analytics department or a scouting department if your HC was going the be the one making your draft picks.
Then there is the scouting department. Stefanski also plays no part in running or overseeing the scouting department.
Quote
Notice, I didn't try to pick and choose who might be responsible for the Browns current situation..I just included the entire group who were in charge over the last 6 yrs or so.
What I've noticed is you openly admit that it's the lack of talent on the roster as you attempt to lump everyone into one big group as being responsible for the players on the roster while there is zero evidence that the HC plays a significant role in that.
Quote
There is nothing to be gained by looking back and trying to assess who might be responsible for what. If Haslam really wants to change the direction of his franchise he must wipe the slate clean and make the necessary changes.
Only by looking back and using a little basic math can you determine what necessary changes need to be made. In case you missed it, in the corporate world they determine where the problem lies when changing personnel. They don't just fire an entire department by saying, "No need to figure out which part of the department is the problem. We'll just fore them all." A one size fits all approach isn't a logical path forward.
But don't worry. I agree I wouldn't be upset if Berry was gone. And as Berry goes so does Stefnaski. So you'll probably get your wish.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Since now it seems you have decided to focus on the real problem here, the roster, maybe you should stop railing against Stefanski? It seems you agree that even Vrabel would have failed and refused to take the job with the roster Berry has assembled. It seems you want to have it both ways.
Pit..seems you are agreeing with me, that the Browns need real change if they are to succeed.
How much of a role did Stefanski have in picking and shaping the Browns current roster..? Notice, I didn't try to pick and choose who might be responsible for the Browns current situation..I just included the entire group who were in charge over the last 6 yrs or so.
There is nothing to be gained by looking back and trying to assess who might be responsible for what. If Haslam really wants to change the direction of his franchise he must wipe the slate clean and make the necessary changes.
Unfortunately, the change that needs to happen is that the ownership group needs to stop meddling with QB decisions. Even more unfortunately, when they did with Watson, we're still stuck with the fallout however many years later. Most unfortunately, no one has the power to change the fact that the football gods hate the Browns.
See Baker's shoulder, Watson's achilles and psyche, Chubb's knee, Conklin's head, shoulders, knees, and toes... Dawand Jones' knee getting illegally torpedoed. Our WRs getting kill shot/concussed. I could go on for awhile.
The Browns aren't allowed to have nice things.
You mess with the "Bull," you get the horns. Fiercely Independent.
KS had a good resume. Berry was for sure qualified and he had been in the building.
Both young smart guys. That is because both are bright young guys who should learn from mistakes. They are both self critical and open minded.
.
Judging from their time with the Browns it’s perfectly valid to argue that this’s a questionable argument. Give me some examples where you think they have “learned and improved” from past mistakes and have you any known evidence that they’re “self critical and open minded”?
Give it a break will you. Your constant bashing of Mayfield for playing injured is no different than ANY OTHER NFL player trying to play injured. Even if your weakness as a HC allows you to meet the injured players demand for a game or two, any self-respecting HC would have pulled the player due to his significant drop in performance. Any HC who continually runs an injured player out there and putting his TEAM at a significant disadvantage does not deserve the HC position. In Mayfield's first 2 games of 2021, he completed 81.6% of his passes picking up where he was in 2020. The next 12 games playing injured he completed only 56.7% of his passes. Where the hell was Stefanski? Fans knew, analysts knew, and his teammates knew but not Stefanski? Even Case Keenum stated how much he respected Mayfield because he watched him cringe in pain with every throw. Where the hell was Stefanski?
As someone stated above, who's the adult in the room? Was Stefanski the HC or Mayfield? IMHO, this clearly shows Stefanski didn't like Mayfield. By showing performing poorly, it allowed him to convince Berry that they needed to go in a different direction. Enter Watson and Berry and Stefanski convinced Haslam that Watson was a good move for the team. When the first offer failed, Haslam entered and made sure they got the player they coveted and bye bye Mayfield. Stefanski isn't a HC, he's a vindicated person who was the start and ultimate end to this team's early success under him. The sooner him and Berry are gone, the better!
Give it a break will you. Your constant bashing of Mayfield for playing injured is no different than ANY OTHER NFL player trying to play injured. Even if your weakness as a HC allows you to meet the injured players demand for a game or two, any self-respecting HC would have pulled the player due to his significant drop in performance. Any HC who continually runs an injured player out there and putting his TEAM at a significant disadvantage does not deserve the HC position. In Mayfield's first 2 games of 2021, he completed 81.6% of his passes picking up where he was in 2020. The next 12 games playing injured he completed only 56.7% of his passes. Where the hell was Stefanski? Fans knew, analysts knew, and his teammates knew but not Stefanski? Even Case Keenum stated how much he respected Mayfield because he watched him cringe in pain with every throw. Where the hell was Stefanski?
As someone stated above, who's the adult in the room? Was Stefanski the HC or Mayfield? IMHO, this clearly shows Stefanski didn't like Mayfield. By showing performing poorly, it allowed him to convince Berry that they needed to go in a different direction. Enter Watson and Berry and Stefanski convinced Haslam that Watson was a good move for the team. When the first offer failed, Haslam entered and made sure they got the player they coveted and bye bye Mayfield. Stefanski isn't a HC, he's a vindicated person who was the start and ultimate end to this team's early success under him. The sooner him and Berry are gone, the better!
100%!
Yo! StripperDude... Slide Rule Steve and Flo-queen here to start your weekly roundtable!
Give it a break will you. Your constant bashing of Mayfield for playing injured is no different than ANY OTHER NFL player trying to play injured. Even if your weakness as a HC allows you to meet the injured players demand for a game or two, any self-respecting HC would have pulled the player due to his significant drop in performance. Any HC who continually runs an injured player out there and putting his TEAM at a significant disadvantage does not deserve the HC position. In Mayfield's first 2 games of 2021, he completed 81.6% of his passes picking up where he was in 2020. The next 12 games playing injured he completed only 56.7% of his passes. Where the hell was Stefanski? Fans knew, analysts knew, and his teammates knew but not Stefanski? Even Case Keenum stated how much he respected Mayfield because he watched him cringe in pain with every throw. Where the hell was Stefanski?
As someone stated above, who's the adult in the room? Was Stefanski the HC or Mayfield? IMHO, this clearly shows Stefanski didn't like Mayfield. By showing performing poorly, it allowed him to convince Berry that they needed to go in a different direction. Enter Watson and Berry and Stefanski convinced Haslam that Watson was a good move for the team. When the first offer failed, Haslam entered and made sure they got the player they coveted and bye bye Mayfield. Stefanski isn't a HC, he's a vindicated person who was the start and ultimate end to this team's early success under him. The sooner him and Berry are gone, the better!
100%!
Yo! StripperDude... Slide Rule Steve and Flo-queen here to start your weekly roundtable!
Are you satisfied with our results the last two seasons?
I want the Browns to win, to make rational decisions, the behave like a normal NFL organization. Nothing more nothing less. Is that too much to ask?
Starting Dillon Gabriel without receivers and a soft o-line is that kind of decision making that makes anyone question this leadership. Yes, he’s too short and clearly not NFL ready but that’s doesn’t change the bad planning and it has lead to this awful situation.
This young man never gets a fair chance. By design.
So they purposely drafted him to sabotage his career.
Solid take.
Is that a serious answer? Honestly.
It’s the culmination of seasons of bad roster building. Who put together the offense? Who sign and draft the oline and the receivers? Who put Dillon on the field? Who sideline Flacco? Who mishandle our quarterback situation? Who makes the play calls? Dillon Gabriel is in an impossible position, that failure must be own by the leadership.
I can go on and on and on. If you don’t’ see It we live on different planets.
My take isn’t unreasonable or weird. It’s the conclusion what most rational supporters end up with. Quincy’s take on Stefanski
I don't see how you coming here after a bad loss and complaining helps the team improve. But hey, you do you. I'm just curious? Where were you and stripper last week? You know, after a very decisive Browns victory?
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
He does as he sees fit. Talk shows, newspaper writers, YouTube personalities, are all a side show.
Every time there is a loss you can come to this site and know what will be here. Moaning and groaning along with "we have to fire this guy."
Jimmy can do what he wants. He will do that no matter what is said here.
2029 is when the new dome is scheduled to open. Haslam has his eye on that.
He knows the deep hole dug by the DW trade.
He has learned that no matter what you want to do. Nothing happens to your team just because you want to be better.
The roster needs to be built to win. Haslam has to decide how that will be done and who will do it. He will remain a constant presence.
Number One objective remains the same. Find a franchise quarterback. Until that is in place nothing will get accomplished as far as winning consistently.
The other team needs are obvious. How the roster will be constructed is Haslam's call. He will either keep Berry or he will hire someone else. Haslam will not go away and let things happen without his involvement.
As I saw posted here by someone else and it makes sense. If either or both Stefanski and Berry were the driving force behind the Watson trade, don't people think Halsam would have already fired them by now? He has shown ever since he owned this team that he has no problem firing people when he thinks the problems with losing is their fault. And people suddenly think that's different now? I don't think that makes any sense at all.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
No doubt about that ask Freddie Kitchens and John Dorsey.
Haslam wants to win. He knows that he is a part of the losing.
I think he believes in Berry and KS. He does not want to fire them and then have to make new hires. It is exhausting and is at best a 50/50 proposition.
He knows the quarterbacks on the roster. He knows the draft capital. He knows what needs to happen.
We have to live with his choices regardless.
There is a case to bring in a new regime. At the same time there is a case to keep Berry and KS. Some will disagree but they do not matter to Haslam. He knows all that goes on and has gone on in the halls of Berea.
The coming 2026 draft is pivotal because there is a young core of good players. But the key components will come from the 25 draft. Namely the qb as well as other roster decisions.
I'm leaning towards keeping Berry and Stefanski. I've posted this before and I will again. If I were JH and I kept the current HC and GM I would tell them we have to get a franchise QB in the upcoming draft. Do what you have to including hiring someone outside the organization but get a QB. Get help and get our future QB. Last chance.
I don't like the idea of forcing QB (or any position) in the draft. The truth is that we have holes all over the offensive side of the roster.... even at TE, it probably wouldn't be a waste to get an Njoku replacement if the draft value is there. If the value isn't there at QB, we still have an OLine and WR group that need MASSIVE overhauls.
Truthfully, I wouldn't be all that broken up if this upcoming QB class sucks because then there will be less temptation for us to overdraft guys based on need.
There is no level of sucking we haven't seen; in fact, I'm pretty sure we hold the patents on a few levels of sucking NOBODY had seen until the past few years.
It is clear that they were looking at the 26 draft. Drafting Gabriel in the third and Sanders in the 5th were low risk picks with a chance they might pan out.
Hard to expect diamonds when you're in soil they are rarely found.
The 25 draft looks very promising so far but there are still no answer at quarterback.
The question remains does Haslam trust Berry to find the quarterback?
I'm leaning towards keeping Berry and Stefanski. I've posted this before and I will again. If I were JH and I kept the current HC and GM I would tell them we have to get a franchise QB in the upcoming draft. Do what you have to including hiring someone outside the organization but get a QB. Get help and get our future QB. Last chance.
I don't know that he's said "last chance", but I bet he's made it clear that his responsibility for the DW debacle is in the rear view and the leash will be short going forward. So yes, something along the lines of "we need a QB, no excuses" has been said out loud. JMO
Originally Posted by oobernoober
I don't like the idea of forcing QB (or any position) in the draft. The truth is that we have holes all over the offensive side of the roster.... even at TE, it probably wouldn't be a waste to get an Njoku replacement if the draft value is there. If the value isn't there at QB, we still have an OLine and WR group that need MASSIVE overhauls.
Truthfully, I wouldn't be all that broken up if this upcoming QB class sucks because then there will be less temptation for us to overdraft guys based on need.
Oh, there will be a couple there to fall in love with; and Berry, Ski and The Wizard will likely come to a consensus... hoping (in the back of their minds) that "consensus" will buy them all more time. Besides, we have plenty of draft assets and substantial cap relief due to the Watson insurance policy. Rest assured, these guys will set the sky ablaze with their latest visions of grandeur... and it will all start with a QB on opening night.
IMO there will be probably four quarterbacks that will carry a first round grade. Of course no matter where you take one nothing is guaranteed.
Bo Nix was the 6th QB taken. Drake Maye the third.
You cannot hope to be picking high in 27. Nor do we have two picks in 27.
We have two picks in the first. Find the guy. Leverage the picks if necessary. The rest of the roster can be filled out through FA, trades, and the draft.
There are no other real options besides finding the quarterback to lead this team.
I'm leaning towards keeping Berry and Stefanski. I've posted this before and I will again. If I were JH and I kept the current HC and GM I would tell them we have to get a franchise QB in the upcoming draft. Do what you have to including hiring someone outside the organization but get a QB. Get help and get our future QB. Last chance.
I don't know that he's said "last chance", but I bet he's made it clear that his responsibility for the DW debacle is in the rear view and the leash will be short going forward. So yes, something along the lines of "we need a QB, no excuses" has been said out loud. JMO
Originally Posted by oobernoober
I don't like the idea of forcing QB (or any position) in the draft. The truth is that we have holes all over the offensive side of the roster.... even at TE, it probably wouldn't be a waste to get an Njoku replacement if the draft value is there. If the value isn't there at QB, we still have an OLine and WR group that need MASSIVE overhauls.
Truthfully, I wouldn't be all that broken up if this upcoming QB class sucks because then there will be less temptation for us to overdraft guys based on need.
Oh, there will be a couple there to fall in love with; and Berry, Ski and The Wizard will likely come to a consensus... hoping (in the back of their minds) that "consensus" will buy them all more time. Besides, we have plenty of draft assets and substantial cap relief due to the Watson insurance policy. Rest assured, these guys will set the sky ablaze with their latest visions of grandeur... and it will all start with a QB on opening night.
The whole QB discussion is difficult. Stefanski wants his QB in the pocket under center. Gabriel can't see in the pocket. He needs to move the pocket and roll out to see open receivers.
Watson didn't like being under center. He liked shot gun and being able to move out to the edge. His strengths in that formation include his athleticism and ability to execute play-action passes effectively. his past success in Houston was built on it
Baker was the same, he excelled more with the shot gun. Yes he has worked at being under center and has improved. He is still best at shot gun.
Dillon Gabriel's success rate is demonstrably higher in shotgun, with a 72.5% completion percentage compared to 60.0% under center.
Examples like Bo Nix, when he was at Auburn he played a lot under center. Then he goes off to Oregon and plays heavy shot gun.
Carson Wentz and Kirk Cousins both played more under center in college.
I honestly would like to see Watson start next year. That way it opens up the draft to fill more position needs then another unproven rookie QB who has played more shot gun then under center.
For a QB to be successful in the way he was while in college. It takes hard work and time to change a QB from shot gun to under center.
This is a big reason the QBs struggle under Stefanski.
With the awful WR and o-line play it's hard for any QB to succeed in a Browns uni
I'm not too crazy about DW starting for us again but what the heck we're paying him so it's a possibility. Then if there's no QB we like where we're picking, we can use the 2 #1's on other positions. It's highly improbable but with us you have to explore all avenues.
There are 58 million reasons why DW will never take another snap with us. Processing an insurance claim isn't always as easy as the black and white in the print. Jimmy will do absolutely nada that may encourage a dispute from the insurers.
Done, finished, we'll never see it.
I'm frankly surprised anyone would want to see this. In a world where God hates the Browns, DW would come out looking like Black Jesus, part the seas of the AFC North and we would negotiate another 5 year flood with no ark in sight. Stop it!! 🤣
There are 58 million reasons why DW will never take another snap with us. Processing an insurance claim isn't always as easy as the black and white in the print. Jimmy will do absolutely nada that may encourage a dispute from the insurers.
Done, finished, we'll never see it.
I'm frankly surprised anyone would want to see this. In a world where God hates the Browns, DW would come out looking like Black Jesus, part the seas of the AFC North and we would negotiate another 5 year flood with no ark in sight. Stop it!! 🤣
I want to see this, for 58 million reasons why..
Because you pay a player to turn around the losing culture. They are paying him no matter what.
Oh wait, just give him the money and say, It's okay, you can leave now. Like the 5 coaches they paid millions for and gave them a year.
No ! make him play. He can't be any worse than the QB now that you can't see behind the O-line
There is no rookie QB they can draft in 2026 that will change the win / loss record
This is why the Browns have a losing culture.
The Browns, "We're going to pay you, not give you a chance to be successful. Here's your money "
He had plenty of chances to be successful... between suspension and injuries... and looked like a bottom tier QB for all but a handful of plays. They've already cut their losses. They're done, they want to cash the insurance policy and get their cap space back. I would do the same exact thing.
You're speaking from a fan perspective with a "how can it be worse" sentiment... fair enough. But ask yourself -- do they want to be a better team this year, record wise? The answer is clearly "no". Deshaun is not turning a season around, and certainly not a losing culture. Even if he could (which is a very hard sell) he won't be given the chance. End of story.
I understand the frustration at watching a sinking ship. But honestly -- do you really believe DW could turn this around? Or are you just pissed because we have to watch crap football every Sunday?
When the Browns trade for him there was a seriously amount of noise in his head
He also played in a difficult situation, being a hand job lover, a HC who wanted him to automatically go from a successful shut gun scheme to an under center QB
There were lots of noises in his head
Maybe they are gone and he can be the QB they paid for
What is the risk of trying that ?
Is it 41 starting QB's the list is at ?
And ya want to draft another unproven with a number one
I'm not going to waste my time posting Baker bad moment videos or Flaccos
Players have good and bad days and seasons.
My point is why waste a pick on a rookie QB that may not help the team in 2026
When there is a CHANCE a QB on the team may help win some games and can allow the FO to draft a few more picks Offensive players to compliment the Defense
Again
Let's keep the losing culture way of thinking
I can also show highlights of Watson beating the Ravens in their own home
1) The insurance on Watson is only for the time missed. All indications have been Watson could be available shortly after the bye week. If true, the insurance money will drastically be reduced.
2) Watson's base salary is 46M in 2026 guaranteed. Watson's 2026 salary cap hit though is $80,716,514 due to all the prorated bonus Berry delayed. I could be wrong, but I highly doubt the Browns can afford to bench a player that is accounting for 27% of your 2026 salary cap. The other elephant in the room is Njoku, Teller, Pocic, Bitonio, and Conklin's expiring contrats on or about March 1, 2026, that will cost the Brown another 85M plus in Dead Cap for 2026. Just Watson and these 5 players will use up over 54% of the available 2026 Salary Cap.
3) Getting rid of Watson doesn't provide any relief either. If they cut him pre-June 1 it will have a $131,163,378 in a Dead Cap hit immediately in 2026. If the Browns wait until post-June 1 cut, the Browns will incur a $80,716,514 Dead Cap hit in 2026 and $50,446,864 in 2027.
4) Watson is only 31 yrs old - he'll be 32 yrs old when his contract expires. Watson's body of work the last 4 1/2 years couldn't get him a water boy contract. Assuming that he intends to keep playing, he would have to perform this next year and 1/2 to raise his performance level to be a valuable asset again. IMHO, Watson has every intention of playing this year and next. Considering the cap ramifications, not playing Watson doesn't make any sense. Considering the current QB situation, Watson is the best available at this time.
5) I don't know what the Browns intentions are regarding Watson but I'm confident that Watson intends on playing and soon. There's a lot more at stake than just Watson playing or not. I think there's big surprise coming that's going to shock more than a few fans.
Watson is not an answer for anything to do with leading the Browns to winning. The last time Watson played was week 7 of the 2024 season. Watson was horrible accumulating a QBR of 21.0 and took 33 sacks in those 7 games.
IMO, Watson is going to be at a high risk of injury if he plays another snap as QB of the Browns.
First item on the to-do list for the Browns in 2026 is find the best GM candidate who has a history of judging "FOOTBALL TALENT" as the Browns prepare for the most important draft since Haslam bought the Browns.
Accumulate draft picks with many of our aging veterans on the trading block. It is time to have a fire sale and rebuild via the draft. The only way Myles is on the trading block is if we get 3 high draft picks (for example 2 #1s and a #2).
#1-use one first round pick on a potential franchise QB. #2- use one of the first round picks to draft a WR #3- target the OLine drafting LT, RT, OG
This for starters..the Browns also have to hire a HC and coaching staff. Hopefully we target a HC who is smart and tough with some spirit..a leader of men. I would not be against DC Swartz being retained, but not as HC.
1) The insurance on Watson is only for the time missed. All indications have been Watson could be available shortly after the bye week. If true, the insurance money will drastically be reduced.
2) Watson's base salary is 46M in 2026 guaranteed. Watson's 2026 salary cap hit though is $80,716,514 due to all the prorated bonus Berry delayed. I could be wrong, but I highly doubt the Browns can afford to bench a player that is accounting for 27% of your 2026 salary cap. The other elephant in the room is Njoku, Teller, Pocic, Bitonio, and Conklin's expiring contracts on or about March 1, 2026, that will cost the Brown another 85M plus in Dead Cap for 2026. Just Watson and these 5 players will use up over 54% of the available 2026 Salary Cap.
3) Getting rid of Watson doesn't provide any relief either. If they cut him pre-June 1 it will have a $131,163,378 in a Dead Cap hit immediately in 2026. If the Browns wait until post-June 1 cut, the Browns will incur a $80,716,514 Dead Cap hit in 2026 and $50,446,864 in 2027.
4) Watson is only 31 yrs old - he'll be 32 yrs old when his contract expires. Watson's body of work the last 4 1/2 years couldn't get him a water boy contract. Assuming that he intends to keep playing, he would have to perform this next year and 1/2 to raise his performance level to be a valuable asset again. IMHO, Watson has every intention of playing this year and next. Considering the cap ramifications, not playing Watson doesn't make any sense. Considering the current QB situation, Watson is the best available at this time.
5) I don't know what the Browns intentions are regarding Watson but I'm confident that Watson intends on playing and soon. There's a lot more at stake than just Watson playing or not. I think there's big surprise coming that's going to shock more than a few fans.
Watson is not going to play in 2025. The window for that to happen is closing quickly. After week 5 the Browns have a 21 day window to either activate a player or put that player on season ending IR. That was October 5th. My guess is Watson has already been placed on season ending IR because he was not removed from IR inside that 21-day window. So, they will cut 43,000+ million from the 80,716, 514 cap hit in 2026 and eat the 50 mill in 2027 for Watson.
Njoku, Pocic, and maybe even Bitonio if he wants to go to a winner (they will give him that option to finish his career will get traded and their dead cap will hit 2025 which right now the Browns are in the top 5 in most cap space to absorb that hit. They will resign Teller. There not going to get 5 new starters in 1 off season and see what they have in Zinter and Wyplier the remainder of 2025. Conklin they are kind of stuck with due to Jones being out for the year. The signing of the tight ends probably points to the Njoku trade happening very soon.
Either way you look at it the mess was created by this Front Office. But the cap will not hold them back much. They will acquire picks for both 2026 and 2027 drafts and move forward.
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples' money." Margarat Thatcher
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