Amid all of the Cleveland Browns' quarterback changes this season, there's been one looming presence that was easy to forget about:
Deshaun Watson.
But now, Watson has gotten close to being healthy from a torn Achilles. Conceptually, there'd be a chance for Watson to play before the season is out.
Would the Browns do that, taking away starts from Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel?
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported this on Saturday:
"Though quarterback Deshaun Watson is unlikely to play this season, the Cleveland Browns are planning to have him on their roster next season, league sources told ESPN."
Wait, what? He's coming back?
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Why are the Browns bringing back Deshaun Watson?
The money is a big part of this.
"Moving on from him would be costly, as the Browns would incur a dead salary cap charge of close to $135 million if they released him before June 1 and a $53 million cap charge if he were designed a post-June 1 cap casualty," Schefter writes.
Watson has a salary cap number of $81.7 million next season, which will set an NFL record, per Schefter.
The Browns also like having Watson in their QB room.
"The Browns also believe Watson has added to their quarterback room and provided a veteran presence that has had value for the rookie quarterbacks," Schefter writes. "It is all part of the reason that he was back at practice last week and is expected back with the team next season."
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