The subject of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s huge contract has come up again.
Still.
Always.
Forever and a day.
But this time in a good way.
The Browns were able to restructure part of his fully-guaranteed $230 million deal to free up some salary cap space, almost $36 million, upping their cap room to $62 million, the most for any NFL team. The Browns are cap champions.
It’s just another example of everything with the Browns being tied to Watson, and while the financial part is what stands out for obvious reasons, their investment in him is much more broad-based that that, making him the unquestioned face of the franchise in every way, shape and form.
His presence has greatly affected the NFL Draft, of course, in that the Browns gave up three first-round choices in a trade with the Houston Texans to get him. Just think of all the high-caliber players they had to pass on for three straight years.
Because the Browns didn’t want Watson looking over his shoulder at his backup, they let Joe Flacco, who came off his couch down the stretch last season to lead them to the playoffs after all the other quarterbacks got sidelined with injuries, walk in free agency. He was so sure he was going to re-sign with the Browns that he scheduled a personal appearance in Hartville, near Canton. He had to cancel. He was headed to Indianapolis.
So, if Watson gets hurt again — and he will, because all quarterbacks do to some degree every season — there will be no former Super Bowl MVP disguised as a miracle man coming to the rescue this time.
Plus there’s the public relations hit the Browns absorb daily for adding a player with such a checkered past in terms of his egregious behavior toward women. The Browns have sullied their reputation to try to win. They have sold their soul to the devil. He is this generation’s Joe Hardy.
With all this, if this plan to have him lead the team to the promised land of the Super Bowl for the first time doesn’t pan out, then Deshaun Watson, because there is such a heavy, all-out investment in him, will single-handedly take down an entire team, your Cleveland Browns.
And all the people who detest the Browns for ignoring decency, will cheer loudly.
The Browns, of course
Steve King
Provided by the Browns Media Center
Aug. 29, 2024
Browns sign RB D’Onta Foreman, add five to practice squad
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have made the following roster moves:
Signed (1):
RB D’Onta Foreman
Contract terminated (1):
QB Tyler Huntley
Signed to practice squad (5):
RB Gary Brightwell
CB Mike Ford Jr.
WR Tulu Griffin
TE Cameron Latu
TE Blake Whiteheart
Released from practice squad (1):
LS Rex Sunahara
Foreman (6-0, 235) is in his eighth NFL season out of Texas. Originally a third-round pick by Houston in 2017, Foreman has appeared in 52 career games with 21 starts with the Texans (2017-18), Colts (2019), Titans (2020-21), Panthers (2022) and Bears (2023). He has rushed for 2,326 yards with 14 touchdowns, while adding 34 receptions for 342 yards and three scores. Last season, Foreman rushed for 425 yards and four touchdowns in nine games. He spent training camp with the Browns this year. Foreman will wear No. 27.
Brightwell (6-1, 220) is in his fourth NFL season out of Arizona. Originally selected by the Giants in the sixth round in 2021, Brightwell has appeared in 37 career games. He has rushed for 164 yards on 41 attempts with one touchdown, while adding 11 receptions for 92 yards. He appeared in seven games last season with the Giants. Brightwell will wear No. 35.
Ford (6-0, 195) is in his seventh NFL season out of Southeast Missouri State. Originally signed by Detroit as undrafted free agent in 2018, Ford has appeared in 77 career games with the Lions (2018-20), Broncos (2021), Falcons (2022) and Browns (2023). Last season, he appeared in 16 games with Cleveland and recorded 19 tackles and one interception on defense, while finishing second on the team with nine special teams tackles. Ford will wear No 31.
Griffin (5-10, 180) is a rookie out of Mississippi State. He was originally signed by the Raiders as an undrafted free agent. He will wear No. 83.
Latu (6-5, 245) is in his second NFL season out of Alabama. He was originally a third-round pick by San Francisco in 2023. Latu will wear No 82.
Whiteheart (6-4, 250) is officially in his second NFL season out of Wake Forest. Originally signed by Arizona as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Whiteheart appeared in two games as a rookie. He will wear No. 86.
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