Stephen A. Smith Rips Browns' Deshaun Watson

It’s no secret that Cleveland Brown s quarterback Deshaun Watson hasn’t even come close to being the player that general manager Andrew Berry traded for.

In 2020, Watson was an MVP candidate with the Houston Texans. The following year, the former Clemson Tiger sat out the entire season in a contract dispute and allegations of sexual abuse.

Also in 2021, the Browns and former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield won 11 games and made the playoffs. Following the season, Berry traded Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers. In a corresponding move, he sent a mountain of draft picks to Houston for Watson.

Shortly before the 2022 season, Watson was suspended for 11 games. When he finally returned to the field in Week 13, it had been nearly 18 months since he had played competitive football.

Last season, he started out playing about average until Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens going 14-of-14 in the second half and leading the Browns on a comeback victory. A shoulder injury would end his season the next week.

Through three games this year, he has been below average at best, and that has ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith “very disgusted” and he let loose on Watson on First Take.

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“I don’t know what the hell happened to him since that period of time," Smith said, referencing Watson's Texans days. "But the only thing we do know about him is that the cases against him went away, but so did his game. Because we ain’t seen that quarterback since he departed from Houston.”

The $230 million guaranteed contract is an albatross for the Browns. They will keep rolling him out there to see if he can find his former self. Cleveland will take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday hoping to see progression. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.