If fans weren't already running to the fridge to grab a beer, or sticking another bag of popcorn in the microwave prior to top AFC showdowns, they definitely will be now. Following the Browns' trade for Deshaun Watson, the compilation of top quarterbacks in the conference has created a level of competition and intrigue unlike anything in years past.
The AFC was a haven for some of the league's best signal-callers before the offseason began. Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and even Derek Carr (gasps), were widely regarded among the best in the league. Adding Russell Wilson and Watson to that list makes things even more interesting. Now, eight of the conference's 16 teams have elite-level quarterbacks that, in theory, could lead them to a Super Bowl.
There's never been a time in history where this many top-tier quarterbacks competed in the same conference. During the days when Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, and Phillip Rivers controlled in the AFC, it was very top-heavy, with a few teams dominating. And in those years, it was assumed that the Patriots, Steelers, or Colts would be playing for a coveted Lombardi Trophy. With narrowness at the bottom of the pyramid for 2022 and beyond, it'll be a dogfight to climb the ladder between roughly half the AFC.
For now, the Bengals and Chiefs remain top dogs. Cincinnati is the reigning AFC champion, while Kansas City has played in five straight AFC title games. But the Bills, Browns, Chargers, and Broncos could easily leapfrog either of those two teams.
At this point, it's expected that Buffalo will eventually find a way to reach the Super Bowl, while the Chargers remain in the mix, by way of having Herbert.
Denver seems most likely to take a king-size step toward contention, as they have a solid foundation on both sides of the ball and just acquired one of the league's top quarterbacks in Wilson.
Now enter the Browns, which haven't just added Watson, but also brought in veteran receiver Amari Cooper. The former national champion at Clemson has a chance to develop a rapport with Cooper -- similar to what he had with elite wideout DeAndre Hopkins in Houston. Donovan Peoples-Jones and tight end David Njoku are solid secondary pieces that could see a leap in production because of Watson.
Having bruiser Nick Chubb in the backfield -- he's record three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing campaigns and averaged 5.5 yard per carry last season -- should take a massive load off Watson's shoulders. Defensively, the Browns aren't as stacked as the Broncos or Bills. But their ability to put points on the board should help mask some of the holes on that side of the ball.
With NFL-imposed penalties likely, questions remain about Watson's playing status. There's still every reason to believe he won't be missing an extended period of time. Although the league has reason to punish him, the NFL is a television ratings and fan-engagement driven business. Given that the on-field product diminishes without Watson, it's in the league's best interest to keep the suspension to a minimum of a few games.
Cleveland is facing backlash over their willingness to look past Watson's off-field issues, and the decision to give him $230 million of guaranteed money. It's not something the franchise is unaccustomed to, having offered halfback Kareem Hunt with a second chance. And winning has always been the cure to organizational turmoil.
Had somebody told Browns fans that Baker Mayfield would be the one to break their 17-year playoff drought on draft day in 2018, they likely would've thought they finally found their franchise guy. Mayfield mostly looked the part through his first three seasons, but he had limitations, and became unreliable on a weekly basis. With opportunities for upgrade being few and far between, a chance to gamble on Watson's upside became too tantalizing to pass up.
Trading out of the 12th overall spot and passing up the opportunity to take Watson in 2017 seemed like it'd haunt the city of Cleveland for an eternity. Funny enough, they wound up getting Watson anyway. The decision to roll the dice on a situation with massive boom-or-bust potential is one that puts the Browns squarely in the conversation as one of the league's best teams.
If the boom upside winds up materializing and delivers the city its first parade since the Cavaliers won the NBA Finals in 2016, it'll be more celebrated than a 4th-and-goal touchdown, rather than getting scrutinized like a bad play call.
Jack Stern is a columnist and an associate producer for CBS Sports Radio. You can follow him on Twitter @J_Stern97.