CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The ends justify the means.
The juice is worth the squeeze.
That’s what the Cleveland Browns said Friday afternoon when they shocked everyone by getting troubled quarterback Deshaun Watson to reconsider and choose them.
24 hours earlier, Watson told the Browns thanks but no thanks. Cleveland was the first team to be eliminated from the four he was considering; then Carolina, leaving the Falcons and Saints as finalists.
Or so we all thought.
But Jimmy and Dee Haslam and the rest of the ownership group along with EVP/GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski would not be denied.
Money talks, and well, you know the rest of that one.
Not only did the Browns surrender three first round picks, which is normally tantamount to them raiding their own vault at Fort Knox, but they guaranteed every dollar of a new record-breaking $230 million, five-year contract.
Why would they take such a risk? To them, Watson was their missing piece.
The once proud Browns were on the cusp of returning among the league’s top contenders following their spectacular 2020 season and divisional round exit that saw them finish a play or two away from the AFC Championship game only to fall flat on their face in 2021.
The Browns now have no pride, and no shame.
They sold their soul and broke the bank to do it.
The baggage that Watson brings to town will hover over him for the remainder of his life – regardless of the outcome of these civil suits.
Allegations are just that, and Watson was not indicted by a grand jury, but no charges do not equal innocence. However, there are 22 women who are alleging some form of sexual assault, misconduct, or harassment during therapeutic massage treatments on the part of Watson, and that is impossible to just cast aside and shrug off as no big deal.
For as many fans that are ready for a parade down East 9th following Friday’s blockbuster trade, you’ll find just as many repulsed and disgusted by it – many of them women, and many of those women are victims themselves of sexual assault who live with that trauma and unspeakable violation daily.
The outrage is warranted, and very much understandable.
The Browns simply can’t ignore it and pretend there is nothing to worry about regardless of their comfort level with the due diligence they did on Watson as a player and person.
The NFL made clear Friday that Watson sill faces the possibility of a suspension or other discipline should the league determine that he indeed violated the personal conduct policy.
The Browns rolled the dice, gambled, and still rewarded Watson.
So much for that whole “smart, tough, accountable” thing Stefanski preaches.
The Browns did not make Watson accountable Friday or any day in the foreseeable future with how they structured his contract to pay him a minimal base salary in 2022, insulating Watson from significant financial loss should the NFL suspend him.
The lack of accountability the team promised him was the cherry on top to lure Watson.
It was also another slap in the face to their female fans and a harsh reminder to them that the business of football always wins.
It might be why the Browns had yet – as of Friday night – to even announce the trade while the Texans rushed to announce the terms and attach statements from their owner and GM.
After arguably one of the biggest trades in NFL history, maybe the Browns realize they can’t do a victory lap in celebration while the Texans couldn’t separate themselves from Watson fast enough.
Credit the Browns for some self-awareness there.
They’ve put their fate in the hands of Watson, a player with tarnished character, to be the face and hope of their franchise to win them something they’ve not come close to – a Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Watson better win.
Or else none of this was worth it in the first place.
A large swath of their fans will tell you it isn’t worth it to begin with.
The Browns are the ones who will have to live with it, and clearly, they are willing to do just that.