Garrett Podell· Sep 21, 2026
Podell argues Cleveland's Week 2 win with Deshaun Watson was fool's gold, and that the Browns will inevitably part ways with him — voiding his contract when the new league year opens rather than keeping him long term.
“Every win and glimmer of offensive production with Watson is fool's gold that only delays the inevitable divorce between him and the Browns.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
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- Trade and Signing CallsDeshaun WatsonSep 21, 2026
Deshaun Watson to move — “inevitable divorce between him and the Browns (contract voided with a post-June 1 designation at the start of the new league year)”
“There's a running clock for Cleveland and their time with Watson... That's when they can void his contract with a post-June 1 designation and kick him to the curb... Every win and glimmer of offensive production with Watson is fool's gold that only delays the inevitable divorce between him and the Browns.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Jacob RichardRoster Spot Calls · Deshaun WatsonMiss · 0Richard predicts the Browns will keep Deshaun Watson as their starter through the season, that Shedeur Sanders will get a handful of starts, and that Dillon Gabriel is the most likely of the four quarterbacks to be moved off the roster.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports preseason review grading all 32 teams, which along the way stakes out a number of depth-chart calls for Week 1 and beyond — including Deshaun Watson opening as Cleveland's starter, Fernando Mendoza taking over as Las Vegas' QB1 by season's end, and Minnesota's Murray-Wentz-McCarthy quarterback order.
- Ryan WilsonDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100A CBS Sports piece states Deshaun Watson has won Cleveland's starting quarterback job for Week 1 with Shedeur Sanders next in line, while arguing Watson will not play like even an average NFL quarterback and that none of the Browns' current young passers should stop them from drafting a first-round quarterback next April.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano argues the Browns do not have a franchise quarterback and that it's unlikely Watson or Sanders is their long-term answer.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Fox SportsTrade and Signing Calls · Austin EkelerMiss · 0The piece reports, citing ESPN, that Carolina is expected to sign veteran running back Austin Ekeler with Jonathon Brooks sidelined.
- Steve KubitzaTrade and Signing Calls · Za'Darius SmithHit · 100Kubitza suggests that Kevin Stefanski's Falcons may lure veteran pass rusher Za'Darius Smith away from Cleveland, signing him in Atlanta instead of the Browns.
- Mary Kay CabotTrade and Signing Calls · Za'Darius SmithMiss · 0Cabot reported that Za'Darius Smith is expected to sign with the Browns, possibly as early as Sunday, after working out for the team.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Austin EkelerMiss · 0Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
- Adam CarlsonTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings.