NFL - The Athletic on Deshaun Watson

ArticleBrowns' Myles Garrett trade is latest collateral damage from Deshaun Watson deb...Captured July 6, 2026
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the biggest trade in franchise history turns into the heaviest anchor on a team still thrashing to get out from under it... $230 million of injuries, allegations and disappointments... three seasons he played for Cleveland being a complete disaster

STACKED’s take

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Watson's $230M contract and three-year disaster forced Garrett trade.

Watson's $230 million contract has become the heaviest anchor on the Browns franchise, turning into injuries, allegations, and disappointments that forced the team to trade away Myles Garrett. The source describes this as 'the collateral damage of the Deshaun Watson debacle' and notes that Watson's three seasons with Cleveland were 'a complete disaster.' Despite these failures, the Browns are signaling Watson is likely to start in 2026, though the team continues to search for a franchise quarterback by acquiring additional first-round draft capital.

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