by This Cleveland Browns offseason has been nothing short of a catastrophe and I believe this offseason can be damaging not just for this year but beyond. This awful offseason will set the franchise back I believe for years to come.
On Wednesday the NFL appealed the Deshaun Watson suspension and now who knows how long Watson will be out, making this trade all the more damaging. The Browns gave up three first round picks. So let’s say the Browns finish 6-11 next year they can’t even make the pick because it goes to the Houston Texans.
The NFL wants Watson to serve at least a full season suspension, and as fans are you guys okay with sacrificing a year? A year of Nick Chubb’s prime. A year of Myles Garrett’s prime. Some people who I have spoken to say the Browns did not make this trade for this season, but for multiple seasons, but a season wasted because of this move. Does not seem justified to me.
This move to me was not well thought out. Say whatever you want about Baker Mayfield, but the Browns had a quarterback who had taken the team to the playoffs. Even won a playoff game. If the organization had just spoken to Mayfield about last season and tried to improve upon it could have worked out. Player and organization communication is something that this franchise sorely needs. Both sides are to blame, but if the Browns were well run it could have happened.
Now with Watson we may never know when he will play. And if he is suspended indefinitely he will have missed two full seasons of football. All of 2021 and 2022. And when he gets back, who knows what kind of shape he will be in. Missing two full seasons of any sport can be damaging to a career and to the team that player plays for. Especially if he has the talent that Watson has.
Just because Watson may miss this whole season does not mean that only affects this season. Last time Watson played a game was January 3rd, 2021. Think about how long ago that was. It will be closer to three full years since he would have played if Watson is out for this season.
When Watson comes back it will take a while for him to get back to full strength. The team will be different when he gets back. The Browns may not have the talent they have now on offense. The organization is in a real tricky situation with this. It is going to take a lot of great moves by management. Especially without a first round pick.
The Watson move required a lot more thinking on the Browns part. I do not see why they would give up three first round draft picks knowing something like this could have been a possibility. This story just seems to never end.
The 2022 Cleveland Browns offseason has been the longest season I could ever recall. Who knows what will happen next, but all I know is that I can’t wait for this offseason to be over. Just get to the season so this can be put behind the city of Cleveland and the fans.
