Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry spoke about quarterback Deshaun Watson’s standing with the franchise following his season-ending Achilles injury in Week 7. Berry avoided making any definitive statements about Watson’s future with the team, instead focusing on Watson’s health and recovery from the injury. Berry’s comments came during the Browns’ bye week, where he emphasized that any decisions beyond Watson’s recovery would be addressed later. This cautious approach comes after Watson’s struggles in Cleveland, including his recent injury and poor performance metrics this season.
Before his injury, Watson posted the NFL’s lowest Total QBR among qualified passers, and the Browns managed only a 1-5 record in his six starts. They were unable to score more than 20 points in any of those games, a clear indicator of offensive issues. However, Berry attributed the team’s offensive struggles to a lack of synchronization and overall team performance, not solely to Watson’s play. He mentioned that when an offense struggles, it’s common for the quarterback and playcaller to receive most of the criticism, but he believes the issues lie across multiple positions and reflect broader organizational shortcomings.
The Browns’ acquisition of Watson has been controversial since the start. The team traded three first-round draft picks and committed to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract for Watson in 2022, making him one of the highest-paid players in NFL history. Watson’s tenure with the Browns has been turbulent; he served an 11-game suspension in 2022 due to allegations of sexual misconduct from over two dozen women, and his performance since then has been lackluster. His Total QBR ranks 32nd among 33 quarterbacks since joining the Browns, trailing nearly every other starting QB in the league.
Despite the challenges, Berry expressed support for head coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision to keep Watson as the starter before his injury. When asked if trading for Watson was a decision made by him or directed by the ownership, Berry affirmed that everyone within the organization had been in agreement. However, the Browns are now faced with a massive financial commitment to Watson, who is owed $46 million annually over the next two seasons, with potential cap hits reaching nearly $73 million in 2025 and 2026. If the Browns were to release him, they would incur significant dead cap charges, adding another layer of complexity to their situation.
The Browns’ season has been disappointing, currently sitting at 2-7 after making the playoffs with an 11-6 record the previous year. Backup quarterback Jameis Winston has stepped in for the injured Watson, and Stefanski passed play-calling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey to attempt to reinvigorate the offense.
The Browns have also traded key veterans Amari Cooper and Za’Darius Smith, indicating a possible shift toward rebuilding. Berry did not comment on whether the trade for Watson was ultimately successful, stating he was not in a “reflection mode.” When asked if Watson could still be the Browns’ starting quarterback in the future, he replied that it was “always possible,” though the path forward remains uncertain.
