{"id":747045,"date":"2026-02-12T13:14:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/747045\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T13:14:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:14:17","slug":"the-watson-era-should-be-over","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/747045\/","title":{"rendered":"The Watson Era Should Be Over"},"content":{"rendered":"

CLEVELAND, OHIO (TheOBR.com<\/a>) – Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans!<\/p>\n

THE DAILY BLOVIATION<\/p>\n

Yesterday wasn\u2019t the biggest news day in Cleveland Browns history, but, per usual, the Cleveland Browns news ecosystem kicked up enough dust to keep us entertained this morning.<\/p>\n

I guess what concerns me this morning is the reaction to yesterday\u2019s Newswire, which discussed the serious possibility that the Cleveland Browns could be considering Deshaun Watson<\/a> as the team\u2019s starting quarterback.<\/p>\n

When the Browns signed Watson a number of years ago, they lost fans, along with any notion of being on the moral high ground they might have had. I lost a terrific writer who quit writing about the Browns because of how seriously he took Watson\u2019s behavior. Obviously, I know some people who walked away from the team and haven\u2019t come back.<\/p>\n

I was alarmed in the comments section of yesterday\u2019s Massive Morning Missive to see a few more Browns fans who say they\u2019ll abandon the team if Watson goes back under center.<\/p>\n

I think the Browns underestimate how many fans breathed a sigh of relief when it appeared that he would no longer be considered an important part of the team\u2019s QB room. To bring him back after it was thought that he would spend the remainder of his time in Cleveland on the bench would be a bridge too far for some fans.<\/p>\n

In addition to Watson being a polarizing figure, the Browns would simply be building his resume before he enters free agency. The notion that he might be successful next year simply complicates and delays the team\u2019s future. As much as Todd Monken wants to win as soon as possible, Deshaun Watson has shown before that he\u2019s not the way, and off-field considerations have be taken into account. I don\u2019t buy that his current positive health status is a sign that he\u2019ll revert to the form of half a decade ago. It\u2019s been too long, the game has changed, Watson has too much baggage, and many fans want to move on.<\/p>\n

NEWS ELSEWHERE<\/p>\n

— If the Browns aren\u2019t looking at this prospect for right guard<\/a>, they should be. Such technique…. such finesse.<\/p>\n

— Oh no! There\u2019s a disagreement on social media! WKNR\u2019s Tony Grossi wrote that Malik Willis to the Browns “Ain\u2019t happening<\/a>” due to salary cap issues. Our own Jack Duffin has a different take<\/a>, but neither of them really sees Willis winding up here.<\/p>\n

— The normies are talking about Myles Garrett<\/a> this week. Not because he unanimously won Defensive Player of the Year, but because he\u2019s dating an Olympic athlete, Chloe Kim. The Today Show is like the \u201cbig time\u201d of non-football-watching morning media.<\/p>\n

— Speaking of Watson, Tony Buzbee, the accuser\u2019s attorney, responded to the news that Watson\u2019s last two accusers have dropped their lawsuits. \u201cWe reached a settlement,\u201d Buzbee told ESPN<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s all I can say about it, and all that needs to be said.\u201d Not exactly a proclamation of innocence, but one would not expect that from Buzbee. Rusty Hardin, Watson\u2019s attorney, did not respond to ESPN.<\/p>\n

— Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated mentions Jason Tarver as a possibility<\/a> for the Raiders defensive coordinator job. Tarven has done bang-up work with the Browns linebackers over the past two seasons.<\/p>\n

— Haslam Sports Group president Dave Jenkins did an interview with Front Office Sports<\/a>, where he declared that the Browns are \u201ceasy to pick on right now\u201d. They are, I guess.<\/p>\n

— Joey Porter just destroyed ex-Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger as a teammate in a recent interview<\/a>. It\u2019s not a Browns problem, but neither is Roethlisberger at this point.<\/p>\n

Have a good one! GO BROWNS!<\/p>\n

Newswire Bloviation Archive<\/a><\/p>\n

OBR GOODIES<\/p>\n

OBR VIDEO<\/p>\n

Full Brian Brennan Interview on Garage Beers<\/a> – (youtube.com)<\/p>\n

OBR ARTICLES<\/p>\n

Cleveland Browns Free Agency Preview – Tight End<\/a> – Jack<\/p>\n

Cleveland Browns Film Room: Isaiah Bonds Rookie Review<\/a> – Sam<\/p>\n

Cleveland Browns News and Rumors 2\/11\/26: Coaching Carousels and Quarterback Quandaries<\/a> – Barry<\/p>\n

Greedy for a Pass Rusher? Cleveland Browns Might Find a Great One in Round Three<\/a> – Pete<\/p>\n

FROM THE FORUMS<\/p>\n

ASK THE INSIDERS<\/a> (VIP<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Kenyon Sadiq<\/a><\/p>\n

What if trade, loosely associated with Schwartz for Jack or Lane<\/a><\/p>\n

Fullback sighting and Schwartz<\/a><\/p>\n

Did Watson like playing under KS?<\/a><\/p>\n

New DC<\/a><\/p>\n

Tyler Huntley<\/a><\/p>\n

Draft capital for 2027 QB?<\/a><\/p>\n

June 1st cut designations<\/a><\/p>\n

Drafting a QB (not the usual question here)<\/a><\/p>\n

Drafting a QB (not the usual question here)<\/a><\/p>\n

June 1st cut designations<\/a><\/p>\n

THE WATERCOOLER<\/a><\/p>\n

Cleveland Browns Free Agency Preview – Tight End<\/a><\/p>\n

Subscribers – Contract Update from Jack in RC<\/a><\/p>\n

Scumbag Rapistburger called out by his own teammates<\/a><\/p>\n

Judkins injury news, is Love possible if true?<\/a><\/p>\n

OT: Wu Tang Clan fans?<\/a><\/p>\n

Mauigoa or Fano?<\/a><\/p>\n

LiveWire Thread for 211 – Twitter, Video, Articles<\/a><\/p>\n

THE LIFT<\/p>\n

Positive news from the world of sports and beyond…<\/p>\n

New Smart Underwear Unlocks the Serious Science of Human Flatulence<\/a> – (nautil.us)<\/p>\n

There are some things that I don\u2019t need to know anything else about. I\u2019m sure studying farts is an important endeavor, but I don\u2019t need smart underwear to understand what I already smell. It\u2019s a premium article anyway. I\u2019m not sure I really want to know what\u2019s going on down there.<\/p>\n

WRAPPING UP<\/p>\n

When not wearing smart underwear, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride<\/a> or write him at barry@theobr.com<\/a> if you are so compelled. <\/p>\n

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