Browns Take Another Shot at Deshaun Watson After Return Update
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam backed head coach Kevin Stefanski amid calls for his job but also took a shot at quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Haslam has made his feelings clear on how the Watson trade has affected the franchise. He
“Kevin’s done a really good job with us, and we’ve had some tough breaks,” Haslam told Russini, referring to the Watson trade. “A big trade we made didn’t work out, and you know, we’re all suffering from that. Kevin, I thought, really did a great job of rallying the troops last week at a really critical time. You find out about leaders when things are bad, not when they’re good, and he did a good job last week.”
The Browns made a blockbuster move in 2022, acquiring Watson in hopes of finally finding their long-sought franchise quarterback. Cleveland surrendered three first-round picks and additional assets to complete the deal, then signed Watson to a
Browns QB Deshaun Watson Eager to Return
Since the trade, Watson has dealt with a mix of setbacks — from a lengthy suspension to multiple injuries. He’s currently
Watson carries a cap hit of nearly $36 million this season, which skyrockets to roughly $80 million next year. If the Browns were to move on from the embattled quarterback, they’d be facing a record-setting dead cap charge.
Despite his rough stay in Cleveland and the injury setbacks, Watson has said he’s set on returning and proving his doubters wrong.
“Everyone is doubting me — everyone don’t believe in me,”
Deshaun Watson Remains a Presence for Browns
Watson has remained a presence around the Browns’ facility as he continues to get back to full health. Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave complimented Watson for being a resource for rookie Dillon Gabriel.
“I like when those two birds converse, I like when they’re talking over there,” Musgrave said. “And I try to take myself out of the equation – I don’t need to be there hovering all over them. They spoke a lot during the game, in fact, the other day against Miami on the sideline with Deshaun being there. Deshaun went on the trip with us down to Charlotte to get his Achilles looked at, but otherwise he hasn’t been on the road. We miss him on the road. It’s great to have his presence on the sideline for our young group.”
Musgrave also commended Watson for his work behind the scenes as he prepares for a return to the field.
“He’s working hard,” Musgrave said. “I see him in the weight room all the time doing box jumps and doing all the exercises, things that they put them through before his Achilles, and then he’s out throwing some passes. I know at times when we’re meeting or when we’re doing other stuff during the afternoon, he seems like he’s working like crazy.”
Watson is expected to undergo further evaluation following the Browns’ bye week. At that point, both he and the team will determine whether he’s ready to return to practice. Watson remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but once he returns to practice, the Browns will have 21 days to add him to the active roster.
If activated, it’s unknown where Watson could slot into the depth chart alongside Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. But if Haslam’s comments are any indicator, the team views him more as part of their past and not the future.
Warriors grant Jimmy Butler the wish Heat (and others) couldn't deliver
Jimmy Butler has proven a locker room problem at times during his previous stops in the NBA, but there's no suggestion of that at the Golden State Warriors following his blockbuster acquisition in February.
In fact, it's been the complete opposite as Butler has completely changed the fortunes of the franchise. Part of the reason things may be different is because the Warriors have granted Butler the wish of playing alongside a veteran core, something he didn't necessarily have in his previous stints with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat.
Warriors have granted Jimmy Butler an environment he didn't get elsewhere
In detailing why Golden State is different to Butler's previous homes earlier in the week, Nick Friedell of The Athletic
"The Warriors gave him the two-year max extension he was looking for and the respect that came with it. But just below the money is the fact that Butler is finally on a team with two players that he not only respects, but provide the Hall of Fame structure and work ethic that he has always craved,"
This isn't to say that Butler hasn't played with great players before, but he's always been the alpha or the adult in the room with younger teammates alongside. That started when he was traded to the Timberwolves, joining a team with recent number one picks at the time in Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Butler did lead the Timberwolves to what was a rare playoff appearance during that period, but it quickly and famously blew up in disaster early the following season which led to his move to the 76ers.
That too was a young team consisting of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz, with that squad falling to an historic shot from Kawhi Leonard in Game 7 of the second-round against the Toronto Raptors.
Even in Miami, Butler was the head of the snake while the likes of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro rose through the ranks from young players into All-Stars who helped their veteran reach a pair of NBA Finals.
Since his rise in Chicago, Butler has always been the best (or at least believed he was) on each team he's been at. That's changed at the Warriors where Butler understands he's the number two and has even labelled himself 'Robin' to Curry's 'Batman'.
Butler was the man for the Warriors in their season opening win over the Los Angeles Lakers, while Curry scored 77 points across Thursday and Friday's back-to-back. Between them there's still optimism that Golden State, even with their advanced age, can cause some damage in the Western Conference this season.
