Browns must break silence on Deshaun Watson trade

We have never played in a Super Bowl, haven’t played in an AFC Championship Game since 1989 and have made the playoffs only twice since re-joining the NFL in 1999. We looked at what Deshaun Watson did in the NFL prior to missing the entire 2021 season and saw it as a massive on-field upgrade over Baker Mayfield. Because of that, we decided to trade for Watson, feeling that he gives us the best chance to bring a long-awaited championship to Cleveland. During this time, we ask for your support. But we also know that the numerous allegations and pending civil suits against Mr. Watson are troubling. For some of our fans, this acquisition may be a bridge too far. If that’s the case with you, we thank you for the support that you’ve given our team over the years. If the day ever comes when you decide you want to cheer for the Cleveland Browns again, we’ll welcome you back with open arms. 

That’s what the Browns should have said on Friday after the news broke that they had traded for Watson and given him a long contract extension. But no statement resembling that was made. In fact, as of Saturday night, the Browns have issued no statement on the matter. They seem to be publicly hiding from the move.

The team’s official Twitter page references the recent acquisitions of Jakeem Grant, Taven Bryan, Chase Winovich and Amari Cooper. We can pick apart the skills of these players but none of them are controversial people. And this isn’t a matter of still having to cross the T’s and dot the I’s. If it were, the Houston Texans wouldn’t have statements about the trade on their Twitter page. 

Watson isn’t some backup linebacker who’s going to be used primarily on special teams — if he makes the roster at all. He’s the quarterback and the face of your franchise. In this case, he’s a controversial one. This is not where you can go radio silent if you’re the Browns.

Cleveland fans have seen Red Right 88, The Drive and The Fumble. They’ve seen their team become the Baltimore Ravens and become one of the top franchises in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls. Yes, Cleveland got football back in 1999 but that timeframe has provided dismal football (including a 1-31 stretch over two seasons), incompetent front office moves and almost nothing else. 

Browns fans have endured all of that — not to mention the heartbreaks of Cleveland’s other teams — and have remained loyal. If there was ever a fanbase that could have been excused for walking away, it would be this one. But that hasn’t happened — until now. 

I have a friend who has gone to see the Browns play in 11 different road locations. Trips to Cincinnati and Indianapolis have produced a 1-1 record. At every other road game she’s been to, she’s seen a loss.  

While we weren’t sitting together, I was with her at one of those games, a 2019 game between the Browns and San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. 

She had some unruly fans in her section and asked if I wouldn’t mind meeting her to walk to the car. In the final minutes, I left my seats to stand by her section to wait for her to leave. In the car, she said that it was one of only two times (the other being a Christmas Eve game) when she left early. Let’s be clear. She left at the two-minute warning. At the time, the 49ers led 28-3 and they’d go on to win 31-3. But to her, that was leaving early. 

I had to know her opinion on the trade. Hours after it was announced, I texted her, saying, “You’re the only Browns fan I know so I am curious.” That curiosity didn’t last long.

Her first response was, “Disgusted. Already took my Browns stuff out of my office and brought it home. Not planning to root for them.” She followed that up with “Fans are LIVID.”

Later on, she texted, “It’s a total circus. Nothing ever changes. The way they treated Baker, the fact that they would even consider having Watson as the face of their franchise. I can’t in good conscience support them when I primarily work with women and teens who’ve been traumatized and sexually abused, raped, assaulted, etc.”

She doesn’t speak for every Browns fan, of course. But if that kind of fan is turning away, others certainly are, too. 

Now, Watson defenders are no doubt thinking, “Innocent until proven guilty” and “He wasn’t indicted.” And if that’s the attitude you want to have, it’s a free country. 

As a San Francisco Giants fan, I would not be happy if they acquired Trevor Bauer. The allegations against him are disgusting and I’d hate to go into a big game having to cheer for Bauer to do well. There’s plenty to be said about Bauer and his own social media activity (even as it relates to Watson) is troubling. But here’s the difference. 

Bauer may not have been everyone’s cup of tea prior to his accusation. But the accusation is what’s kept him from pitching. And that’s one person’s word against his. We can look at other troubling incidents, with people like Kareem Hunt and Joe Mixon, who are both playing. And while there’s no defending what they did, it’s one action. That may not be easy to overlook, but it’s a lot easier than overlooking 22. 

That is what Watson is facing — 22 accusers. That’s not a number that can be ignored or passed off as a “he said, she said” matter.

For the sake of argument, let’s say they’re all lying. What kind of conspiracy could Watson possibly be on the wrong side of? Maybe more importantly, why is Watson the target of it? There’s no logical answer.

It’s also important to remember, the acquisition of Watson came in the same week that the Browns were reported to be “looking for an adult” at quarterback, seemingly tired of Mayfield’s immaturity. 

They could have found that with Jimmy Garoppolo. If Watson had gone to Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan would be a fine “adult” to have under center. The Browns also signed Jacoby Brissett a day after trading Watson. He could potentially be a starter in Cleveland but at the very worst, would be a maturing influence on Mayfield. 

While Mayfield has his maturity issues, it’s hard to pass Watson off as more of an “adult” when considering the 22 accusations against him. Where Watson is an upgrade over Mayfield is on the field. He’s a better quarterback. Watson is not only a more talented quarterback than Mayfield, but he’s also a big talent upgrade over Garoppolo, Ryan and Brissett and any other quarterback available. We will no doubt marvel at Watson’s athletic ability when the 2022 season gets going. On the field, he’s fantastic.

That’s what this move was about for Cleveland. Given the Browns utter silence on the matter, it’s hard to draw any other conclusion. 

Browns fans invest a lot of money and time on their team. More often than not, they’re let down. Those fans — even the ones that support the Watson trade — are owed an explanation. Watson’s accusers are owed an explanation. Women who have been abused are also owed an explanation, as are women in general. After all, every October, we’re told how much the NFL cares about women and their health. 

A lot of people are owed an explanation here. And if nothing else, the Browns need to supply that. Going radio silent on the matter is not helping anyone.