Browns Considering Benching Deshaun Watson vs. Cowboys?

With the first game of the 2024 regular-season less-than a week away, the Cleveland Browns are expected to begin the season with Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback for the second-straight year.

While the Browns were able to earn a spot in the playoffs in 2023, a lot of the credit for that accomplishment went to the team's defense and Comeback Player of the Year Joe Flacco, who came in for Watson after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 10.

Now, with Watson entering the third year of his lucrative five-year, $230 million fully-guaranteed contract, the team will certainly need him to not only stay healthy, but to play considerably better when he is healthy. Through his first two seasons with the team, Watson has started 12 games, and has totaled just 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions while averaging 185 yards-per-game.

Those are certainly not the statistics the Browns were expecting from Watson when they traded six draft picks (three first-rounders) for him and signed him to his lucrative contract. So, if Watson continues to struggle, the team will have to decide if they prioritize winning, or simply starting the players they pay the most.

While some might not be fans of bringing in a backup to start, second-stringer Jameis Winston is a very experienced veteran who has almost 10 years of NFL experience. The move could potentially yield similar results to when they brought in Flacco midway through last season.

Related: Browns' Winston Named Top Backup Quarterback

Regardless of what future weeks hold, the Browns will be starting Watson when they host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 on Sunday.