Cleveland Browns with Watson go from unwinnable to unlikable

The Cleveland Browns have always been the underdogs you couldn’t help but cheer on. With their recent acquisition at quarterback, even some of their die-hard fans are having trouble cheering on them on.

The Cleveland Browns have one of the most dedicated fan bases in the NFL. How could you call fans that stick with a team that had a combined record of 4-44 over a three-year span anything but dedicated? The Browns faithful have had to deal with it all; being laughed at and undervalued, poor management, and consistently poor quarterback play.

The Cleveland Browns finally got a break after their 0-16 season in 2017 when they drafted Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield with the first pick overall. Mayfield was an instant turnaround to the overall culture within the Browns organization and the Browns actually started winning games.

It was not an instant success but the Browns eventually made their way into the playoffs on January 10, 2021, with a win over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Cleveland Browns never made it to the Super Bowl but Baker Mayfield’s record with the Browns stood at 30-31. A drastic improvement from the 4-44 record they held in the years prior to Baker’s arrival. They even finished one season with an 11-5 record, a feat many analysts and fans never believed was possible in Cleveland.

But all good things must come to an end. Baker played injured for most of the 2021 season and ended the season with a 6-8 record. Fast forward to March of 2022 and the Brown’s front office decided that they had enough of Baker Mayfield and signed Texan’s QB Deshaun Watson to a five-year contract with a fully guaranteed contract of $230 million.

Yes, the same Deshaun Watson that would not honor his contract in Texas due to issues with the coaching staff selections and now currently has 22 pending sexual assault related lawsuits.

Watson is not being charged criminally but the civil suits continue. The stigma that follows Watson is visible to all but the Browns’ front office decided to charge ahead regardless of the pending civil action. While some admire the fact that the Browns are going all out in order to pursue wins it appears to many that they sacrificed their moral values for the opportunity to win more football games.

The Browns General Manager Andrew Berry said the team did their due diligence researching Watson’s civil issues and felt comfortable having him lead their team. Apparently the “due diligence” did not include speaking to the lawyer that is representing several of the victims in the civil suits.

It appears that the Browns researched what they wanted to in order to get the answers they required. Since the signing of Watson, the normal reactions did not come from the people you would expect would celebrate; the fans and the current Browns players.

When the Las Vegas Raiders traded for wide receiver Davante Adams, social media erupted in celebratory posts, videos, and “Welcome to Vegas” tweets. When Watson was signed the captain and All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett did not welcome Watson or even really acknowledge the signing besides posting an emoji.

https://twitter.com/Flash_Garrett/status/1504948893330526209?cxt=HHwWgsCqgfDC0-IpAAAA

Besides current players refusing to comment or hint at celebrating the transaction fans of the Browns are actively defiant in the selection, feeling that their moral compass is compromised if they continue to root for their team.

Business owners have turned their backs on the franchise, season ticket holders are not renewing or simply selling their tickets, and die-hard fans of old are done with the franchise in general.

Analysts are even speaking out over the way the Browns have handled Watson’s contract where they manipulated his salary in order to limit the penalties he may inherit if he is suspended for his conduct.

The fact of the matter is that Baker Mayfield was not performing adequately enough for the front office of the Browns so they pursued a better quarterback. Whether they were prepared for the backlash, or if they even care, is up for debate. At this point, many find it hard to root for the Browns, as if any win they achieve is a win for Watson, who whether innocent or not is not deemed an individual deserving of additional success, beyond an already historic contract.

Mayfield, who was once crowned the savior of the Browns, has now been evicted. The Browns fans went from a base that was undivided in their devotion to the team, but are now fractured as some will do anything for a win and others cannot compromise their moral integrity for a game.

The franchise had gone from a team that was unable to win, but now they are a team that we are unable to root for. General Manager Andrew Berry and Owner Jimmy Haslam made their decision but it may set the Cleveland Browns back even further than they ever have been.