The Browns thought they had it all when they secured Watson’s services for a five year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. It seemed like fully guaranteed deals were the norm, and Watson, who before his mixup with the law, was one of the NFL’s most promising quarterbacks.

During his time with the Houston Texans, Watson had made the Pro Bowl three times, including leading the league in total passing yards with 4,823 during the 2020 season.

But shortly after, Watson had found himself in muddy waters – with accusations on multiple accounts of sexual assault.

However, because a grand jury declined to indict Watson, he was cleared to return to the gridiron. It didn’t get him out of the water yet, since he settled 23 of 24 civil lawsuits, but he was also facing a possible suspension from the NFL whenever he came back.

That’s where the Browns come in.

For over two decades, the Browns have been looking for their quarterback. From high draft picks, to gree agency signings, to one-hit wonders, they still continue their search.

Watson was supposed to be the answer – but he wasn’t. Instead, Cleveland has to come into each season with an albatross of a contract, for someone who’s a shell of his former self.

In three seasons with the Browns, Watson has yet to play a full one – whether it be from injury or the suspension, availability hasn’t been his best skill.

Just this past season, he was ruled out after tearing his achilles, ruling him out for that season, and part of this season.

But Watson has been terrible beyond that. In Cleveland, he has a horrible touchdown-to-interception ratio, an average of a 61% completion rate, and over three years has just 3,300 passing yards.

Look at that number again, and then look at what he did in 2020.

A fully guaranteed deal. And it’s not like the Browns can walk away. No matter what, Watson is getting paid. Good luck even trying to trade him too.

Because the Browns quarterback outlook was so bleak, they ended up drafting quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

Did they need both? Probably not. Sanders sunk drastically in the Draft after continuously being rated a top-10 projected pick, but now, he’s looking at being a third-string quarterback on a team that hasn’t had luck finding a QB.

Because of Watson, the Browns are stuck. Do they just play Watson and hope he goes back to form? Do they continue to play 41-year-old Joe Flacco as the starter? Do they eventually ride with the young guns? Are they OK having a $230 million backup?

That’s too many questions with little-to-no answers. But there’s no denying how awful Watson has been for the franchise. It’s a constant black eye on the team for trading for him, signing him to the deal, and then watching him totally crumble.

So what does this mean for Sanders and Gabriel?

Gabriel seems to be fine, as the immediate backup, but Sanders is seems to be taking up space in Cleveland.

“I’m hearing Shedeur isn not even running scout team, he’s literally watching everyone,” ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo said. “Bailey Zappe’s running scout team. I don’t know if that’s true, that’s what I’m hearing.

“Why’s he on the team? Why is he even here? If that’s what you think of him. Because his jersey is selling? The Haslems (Browns owners) don’t need jersey money, do they? Then why is he on the team, if he’s not even running scout team?”

If what Rizzo is saying is true, it’s yet another wrinkle in the mass hysteria of the Cleveland Browns. But with Watson being in the fold, what does this mean for Sanders?

You have to think he’s not going to be OK being a third-string for very long. Perhaps Cleveland trades him. Perhaps a team that needs a quarterback pounces.

Either way, Sanders current status with the team that drafted him is off to a terrible start in The Land.