The absolute best thing that could happen to the Browns right now would be for Watson to have another offseason injury that puts him on the 2026 Injured Reserve. His $80 million Cap Hit then comes off the books and we're free and clear of him next year.
Alternatively, his $46 million salary could get converted to a signing bonus and we extend him a year if the plan is to play him this season (which would be hilariously tragic). Sadly, this is what I suspect will happen and he will be an anchor around our neck for another two to three years.
That would be second best.
The best would be that Watson somehow comes back looking like the player we thought we got when we made the trade.
I doubt that happens and if so, there would be fan backlash, but that would last maybe 2 weeks if he comes out looking great.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
His dead cap becomes more manageable if they designate him a June 1st cut after the 2026 year ends...so June 1, 2027 he's gone.. If he's not on IR, he's on the 53 for the 2026 season.
I doubt that happens and if so, there would be fan backlash, but that would last maybe 2 weeks if he comes out looking great.
That depends on the fan. I will never want a sexual predator as the face of the Browns. Never. Some of us have a line in the sand when it comes to "winning at all costs" and some of us don't.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
While your disdain is generally well-earned, I'm not sure this is the best example. Schwartz is throwing a temper-tantrum, when you get down to it.
As someone who was pulling for Schwartz to get the promotion based on the impression that he had grown and tempered his approach from the Detroit days, I gotta say that if this is how you handle disappointment then the Browns top job probably isn't for you.
"I'll take your word at face value. I have never met you but I assume you have a face..lol"
I'm not so sure I would call someone refusing to be forced into a marriage as temper tantrum. I'm not sure if disappointment means the same thing as the Browns hiring a HC he doesn't want to work with. Let's face it, it's not like Schwartz will have trouble finding another job. And unless I'm mistaken all another team would have to do is add the title of "assistant HC" to the DC title and it would be considered a promotion which the Browns couldn't stop.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
A bunch of Browns games from the late 70's and late 80's have been popping up on my Youtube suggested watching. I attended a lot of those games and it's awesome watching them again. My God we are so far from what those great teams brought to the table.
I was here. Opening kickoff at 12°, windchill -5°. We were in the sixth row of the dawg pound. Four dudes in the front had their shirts off since halftime. At the beginning of 2OT, someone passed down a flask of whiskey and everyone in the row took a sip. Greatest game I've ever seen live.
What a game that was...one of my best Browns memories ever! Back then I was working every other weekend, and couldn't make that game. Unfortunately, I did make the next one....."the drive" game. What a looooong drive home.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
Geez pit, that’s not positive reinforcement, it’s a buzzkiller.
I get that but is it really not accurate that's how things stand at the present time? I mean just look at the posts in this thread. The experiences the fans seem to love and place the most value on are of days gone by. From yesteryear. As things stand today it seems nobody has faith in the ownership. We have no clear QB, no OL worth speaking of and no clear #1 WR.
The best and strongest unit we had faith in just lost its DC. It's just a very murky and cloudy picture moving forward.
So I do believe all we are getting by on as fans are our fond memories and hope.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
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What a looooong drive home.