With Deshaun Watson suspended, what should Browns do next?

By Eric D. Williams 
FOX Sports NFL Writer 

The NFL and the NFL Players Association agreed on an 11-game suspension for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson on Thursday. The settlement features a $5 million positive that can go to charity. 

That means Watson won’t be out there for Cleveland till Week 13, a Dec. 4 highway sport towards the Houston Texans, his former staff.  

NFL unbiased arbiter Sue Robinson initially handed out a six-game suspension after a 15-month NFL investigation into Watson and the sexual misconduct claims leveled towards him.  

Watson was accused of sexual assault and misconduct in civil lawsuits filed by 25 girls, settling 23 of 24 lawsuits whereas one of many fits was dropped. Two separate grand juries in Texas declined to indict Watson. 

However, the NFL, which desired an indefinite, year-long suspension, appealed Robinson’s choice.  

Deshaun Watson receives 11-game suspension

The NFL and NFLPA reached a settlement settlement on an 11-game suspension and $5 million positive for Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson. Colin Cowherd reacts to the information.

Peter Harvey, one other unbiased arbiter assigned by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, waited to rule on the enchantment by the league earlier than a settlement was reached.  

The Browns acquired Watson from Houston in March and signed him to a historic five-year, $230 million, totally assured contract. Because of how Cleveland structured the deal, Watson will lose solely $632,500 in wage throughout his suspension.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has stated Jacoby Brissett will take over as Cleveland’s starter whereas Watson is out. The Browns signed Brissett a day after buying and selling for Watson as an insurance coverage coverage in case the Clemson product was not out there for components or the entire 2022 season. 

“Evaluating Jacoby earlier than we introduced him in right here, everybody noticed a decision-maker, an enormous athlete and an individual that may make all of the throws, so I feel that is thrilling,” Stefanski stated. “Being round him within the assembly room — his capacity to guide and skim defenses — I’ve been very impressed.” 

The Browns even have Joshua Dobbs and Josh Rosen on the roster to function depth behind Brissett.  

“Brissett goes to play like he is the No. 1 regardless,” Browns defensive again Greg Newsome advised reporters in Cleveland. “He’s proven it a number of occasions in his profession the place he needed to step in and be the No. 1. … He’s a veteran. You can inform. He’s poised. He’s all the time going to do the proper factor, ensure the ball is in the proper spot. He’s been nice to date.”  

Brissett is 14-23 over his profession as a starter, finishing 60.2% of his passes for 7,742 yards, with 36 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Last season, he was 2-3 as a starter for the Dolphins whereas subbing for an injured Tua Tagovailoa. He accomplished 62.7 p.c of his passes and threw 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. 

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Brissett has some motion abilities to increase performs like Watson, takes care of the soccer for essentially the most half and provides a gifted Cleveland squad anticipated to make a deep playoff run a chance to win video games with out its beginning quarterback.  

However, with Watson out for longer than the six video games the Browns anticipated a couple of weeks in the past, maybe it is time for Cleveland to think about a transfer to a extra skilled quarterback to maintain them within the playoff hunt. A quarterback like Jimmy Garoppolo. 

Will Browns look to Jimmy G?

Nick Wright and Kevin Wildes determine whether or not Jimmy Garoppolo can be slot in Cleveland.

Cleveland.com reported the Browns would take into account going after Garoppolo if Watson’s suspension was lengthened. San Francisco has moved on from Garoppolo, selecting to begin final 12 months’s No. 3 general choice, Trey Lance, at quarterback. 

Garoppolo had shoulder surgical procedure within the offseason, hampering the staff’s capacity to maneuver him through a commerce. However, the seven-year veteran is now wholesome and understanding on the staff’s facility, and the Niners seem motivated to maneuver him earlier than closing roster cuts Aug. 30. 

At problem will likely be Garoppolo’s $24.2 million, non-guaranteed wage for the upcoming season. The 30-year-old quarterback must be keen to restructure his deal in a commerce. If the Niners don’t have any suitors, they could should launch Garoppolo, making him out there to the whole league, together with rivals just like the Seattle Seahawks.  

The Browns are already on the hook for $10.5 million of Baker Mayfield‘s wage after buying and selling him to the Carolina Panthers in July. So they’re doubtless unwilling to pay Garoppolo the kind of cash he would covet as a possible free agent. 

However, on the sector, Garoppolo is a transparent improve over Brissett and will hold the staff in rivalry in a tricky AFC North till Watson returns in December.  

Garoppolo is 33-14 as a starter, main the Niners to a Super Bowl look and two NFL Championship Games throughout his five-year tenure in San Francisco. For his profession, he has accomplished 67.7% of his passes for 11,852 passing yards, with 71 touchdowns, 38 interceptions and a 98.9 passer score. 

Garoppolo has a 4-2 file within the postseason and a 4-1 file towards AFC North groups throughout his time with the Niners. 

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, masking the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.