‘It’s not working’ – Shannon Sharpe calls for team to cut ties with $230m quarterback after troubled star’s latest setback
Deshaun Watson's time in Cleveland has been nothing short of disastrous.
Cleveland traded for the former Houston Texans quarterback in 2022 and signed him to a massive five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract.
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Watson, arguably a top-five QB in Texas, was supposed to be the face of the Cleveland franchise, but his Browns career has been plagued by a series of on and off-field issues.
The most notable of which when a civil lawsuit was filed, accusing Watson of sexual assault and battery in October 2020.
Watson denies any wrongdoings.
Injuries have also been a major issue, with Watson missing the final eight games of the 2023 season after undergoing surgery to his throwing shoulder.
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He then suffered a season-ending Achilles tear on October 29 which ruled him out for the remainder of this season.
However, Watson was on track to be ready for the 2025 season, but suffered another setback and ruptured it again recently while he was recovering from surgery.
Watson underwent a second surgery last week with his "recovery time and return to play status uncertain, and he will likely miss significant time during the 2025 season," reported to be at least seven months.
After another season of failure, NFL legend Shannon Sharpe says its time for the Browns to cut ties with Watson and move on.
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“It’s not working, and it’s too late to turn back now,” Sharpe said on his 'Nightcap' podcast.
“I just believe there is too much damage that’s been done to his body. Second Achilles [injury], he’s going to miss 2025. If you think about it,the man might have played an entire season in the last four years. And that’s if you put the games together.”
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"So what was that? In '21 he didn't play. '22, he missed the part of the game. '23, he missed the large chunk, and he damn near missed all of '24.
"You can't get anything out by not playing. I don't care that he preserved his body, his body needs to go through that. Your body needs to drop back. Your body needs to feel these guys.
'Nightcap' co-host, Chad Johnson, defended the 29-year-old Watson, highlighting his relatively young age and and former achievements.
While Sharpe said he doesn't think Watson should retire from the league, he did say his time in Cleveland has run its course.
“I just think the best thing for Deshaun, and I hate to say this: I think it’s just time for them to part ways…
"As much as I wanted to see it, he’s never going to be what he was in Houston,” Sharpe added.
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The troubled signal caller has had his fair share of off field issues.
He was accused of sexual misconduct and harassment by more than 20 women before being traded to Cleveland.
He has always denied any wrongdoing, and 20 claims of sexual misconduct have .
However, he was still suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fined $5 million by the NFL.
Watson's difficult 2024 also included receiving a death threat, according to Jason Lloyd of .
"For three years, the Browns contorted themselves to match Watson’s strengths and desires. But teammates ultimately grew tired of the organization catering to an ineffective quarterback, and he never really fit in Cleveland. He received at least one death threat," Lloyd wrote this week.
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"Off the field, Watson spent the year dealing with traumatic personal matters. His agent, David Mulugheta, received a disturbing email in June from someone threatening to shoot Watson or burn down his house, according to a police report obtained by The Athletic, " Lloyd noted.
"Police later closed the investigation with no suspects identified."
Watson is a three-time Pro Bowler who passed for a league-high 4,823 yards in 2020.
He has been with the Browns for three seasons but has only played in 19 games due to injuries and suspensions. In those 19 games, he has gone 9-10 and compiled 3,365 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
He finished the 2024 season with 1,148 yards through the air, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.
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If the Browns do decide to move on from Watson, they won't be short of options.
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They have the No.2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and could use it to select either Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward if they're still on the board by then.
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