The situation with the Cleveland Browns and their commitment to quarterback Deshaun Watson has become emblematic of organizational stubbornness and miscalculation, wrote Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
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While GM Andrew Berry's recent remarks do their best to sidestep direct ownership of what's widely perceived as a colossal misstep, the silence itself speaks volumes.
"I'm really not in reflection mode," Berry told reporters. "[I]t's not really my focus at this point in the year. Our focus is really on finishing out the 2024 season, having the team play at a higher level, and then kind of we'll get to those maybe longer term or big picture reflections at a later point in time."
Berry's insistence that now is not the time for "reflection" feels less like genuine focus on the present and more like strategic deflection. This, paired with his vague assertion that "everyone's on board," provides no clarity on where the initial push for Watson originated.
The refusal to openly admit that trading for Watson — and locking him into a fully guaranteed $230 million, five-year deal — was a mistake seems rooted in protecting higher-ups, possibly team owner Jimmy Haslam, from bearing the brunt of responsibility.
The financial implications are staggering. The Browns face cap hits of $72 million in both 2025 and 2026 and will still owe $26.9 million in 2027, even after the contract expires. These are figures that can hamstring a franchise's ability to build a competitive team. If Watson's performance continues to underwhelm, the backlash from fans — whose engagement and financial support are critical to the team's success — could reach a tipping point, as Florio noted.
Berry's statement that decisions will be made "within what we think is within the best interest of the franchise" dismisses the reality that fan support is not an optional luxury but an essential component of the franchise's lifeblood. Should fans decide to turn their backs—through boycotts, protests, or by simply tuning out — the repercussions could be far more severe than the front office anticipates.
Acknowledging mistakes is part of growth, but as it stands, the Browns seem content to double down on pride and ego. The image of someone walking around with toilet paper stuck to their shoe, oblivious or unwilling to remove it, sums up the current state perfectly. Everyone can see the blunder, and it's only a matter of time before continued denial leads to deeper embarrassment and more lasting damage.
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