Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett could be joined by Deshaun Watson this season
With the Cleveland Browns, expect the unexpected. The current quarterback derby included bringing in four new quarterbacks in what was described as “everyone but Deshaun Watson.” Watson’s time in Cleveland, from the about-face to accept the trade to the Browns to the guaranteed contract that led to collusion discussions, was all unexpected.
This year, the expectation was that Cleveland’s QB competition would exclude Watson and that the team was going to move on from a “swing-and-miss” decision. Our Tom Moore seemingly spoke for everyone when he wrote, “But there is no plausible scenario where Watson takes another meaningful offensive snap with the Browns.”
Except, it is the Cleveland Browns, so we should expect the unexpected. According to Mary Kay Cabot, Watson could be back on the practice field “sometime in October,” according to “one league source.”
This is where the details are important.
First, as with all sources, it is important to at least wonder what the goal of the person leaking the information. How many people who could be considered a “league source” would have information about Watson’s health? Often, league sources are agents or those connected to the player who might want everyone to know Watson is working hard, could be ready early, etc.
With that in mind, it is interesting that in Cabot’s next paragraph, there is a note about Watson being “an awesome teammate.”
Second, for the Browns, there is no reason to spend time refuting anything or sending out their own sourced leak to counter Cabot’s report.
Finally, there are limitations around a player’s rights according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. If Cleveland were to place Watson on Injured Reserve to end his season, he could file a grievance when he is medically cleared to play (reportedly, in October). The Browns are also not allowed to keep him away from the facility or his teammates, whether he is on the IR or the PUP list to start the season.
Cleveland’s quarterback competition could lead GM Andrew Berry to keep two, three or, in a wild case, four quarterbacks heading into the season. If Cabot’s reporting is right, the Browns could have a fifth quarterback to deal with on their 53-man roster around the middle of the season unless doctors do not clear Watson.
More potential quarterback drama but, as always, expect the unexpected around the Browns.