When the Cleveland Browns selected Baker Mayfield as the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, expectations were high. After years of instability at the quarterback position, Mayfield represented hope of solving that long-standing problem. Yet after a disappointing 2021 season, Cleveland made a controversial decision. The Browns chose to part ways with Mayfield and bet on Deshaun Watson, a quarterback with a history of success but surrounded by controversy and doubts.
In Week 1, while Baker Mayfield shined with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Browns are suffered the consequences of placing their hopes and a massive investment in Watson. It’s a mistake that seems to be costing more than expected.
Baker’s Revival
After being let go by the Browns, Mayfield found a new home with the Buccaneers, where he has proven his worth. Last season, he surprised everyone by leading his new team to the NFC South title – and, more impressively, a playoff victory. Not only was this a personal comeback for Mayfield. It also showed that when given the right opportunity and support, he can be a franchise quarterback.
This past Sunday, Mayfield made it clear that his success was no fluke. In an almost perfect performance against the Washington Commanders, he completed 24 of 30 passes for 289 yards and threw four touchdowns.
Mayfield is not only playing well but is showing the kind of consistency and leadership the Browns hoped for when they selected him in 2018. At just 29 years old, he has the potential to be the key piece for the Buccaneers for many years to come.
The Downfall of Deshaun Watson
Meanwhile, the Browns went all in on Deshaun Watson. Acquired from the Houston Texans, Watson came with the reputation of being one of the best quarterbacks in the league. However, he also had heavy baggage.
Watson had been involved in a sexual misconduct scandal with multiple lawsuits against him (and on Monday, another lawsuit was just filed). Additionally, he had missed an entire season due to injury. Despite these issues, the Browns awarded him a historic $230 million contract that was fully guaranteed over five years. The gamble on Watson has not paid off.
After serving an 11-game suspension in 2022, Watson returned to the field, but his level of play left much to be desired. In six starts, he threw only seven touchdowns against four interceptions. On top of that several mysterious injuries sidelined him for much of the season. For a franchise that had invested so much in him, the disappointment was palpable.
This past Sunday, Watson had the opportunity to redeem himself in the first game of the 2024 season, facing the Dallas Cowboys at home. Yet what transpired was an absolute disaster.
With a QBR of just 9.0 on a 100-point scale, Watson was unrecognizable. He threw two interceptions, lost a fumble, was sacked six times, and averaged less than four yards per attempt. The Browns fell 33-17 in a game that wasn’t even as competitive as the score suggests.
The problem for the Browns is that, outside of the quarterback position, they have a talented roster. Their defensive line is formidable, they have a solid running game, and a reliable receiving corps. Additionally, head coach Kevin Stefanski has proven capable of leading the team to compete in the always-tough AFC North. However, the massive investment in a player like Watson, who has not lived up to his contract, is weighing heavily on the team’s future.
Instant Regret
Browns fans can’t help but wonder, ‘what if they had kept Baker Mayfield’? In 2020, Mayfield led the Browns to the playoffs and came close to defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round. He was a young quarterback with room to grow. However, the franchise decided that wasn’t enough and opted for Watson.
Now, that mistake feels even more painful as Mayfield flourishes in Tampa Bay while the Browns are left with a burdensome contract and a quarterback who isn’t performing.
With Deshaun Watson under contract through 2027 and his salary fully guaranteed, the Browns are tied to a bet that increasingly looks more costly. If Watson doesn’t drastically improve his performance, Cleveland could be doomed to several years of mediocrity despite having the talent to compete for titles.
The lesson for NFL teams is clear. Sometimes patience and developing young talent can yield better results than betting everything on a big name and a massive contract. The Browns are undoubtedly learning this lesson the hard way.
