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The Cleveland Browns are in a difficult spot. Self-created? Yes. But difficult nonetheless.
When Monday brought another sexual assault accusation and civil lawsuit from Watson’s past — this one containing an alleged rape — it took the franchise back to an old public relations playbook that it hoped would be permanently shelved: Speak very little, keep things moving forward and remind everyone that due process will guide future words and actions.
A little over two years ago, that was enough for a portion of the Browns fan base. The organization had faith in Watson. His career had showcased the kind of special quarterback talent that had eluded the franchise for an eternity. And the legal process was running its course, seemingly pointing to some kind of resolution.
But something is different now. Watson has played 13 games for the Browns, and never really looked anything like what fans saw in his Houston Texans highlights. There have been injuries and inconsistency, fits and starts. Then the team was energized by its defense and led to the playoffs by a scrap-heap quarterback in Joe Flacco in the 2023 season. And now, Watson’s past is again on the franchise’s doorstep. The NFL is reviewing another very ugly complaint, and the league’s personal conduct policy is back in the spotlight, with a fresh round of questions and ramifications.
Welcome to QB Room, Charles Robinson’s new weekly quarterback-centric NFL column at Yahoo Sports. (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports)
This whole thing is just beginning, but here are the three most pertinent questions …
Does Cleveland Browns ownership want to support Watson through this?
There are two avenues here. If the answer is yes — that they believe and back Watson in the same fashion as 2022 — then there’s really nothing to talk about from the team’s vantage. The Browns will ride it out as they did before, giving their quarterback the same support, resources, public relations help and paycheck to do his job. And whatever…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/qb-room-week-1-well-get-to-the-football-but-first-lets-ask-the-deshaun-watson-questions-194426731.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-09-10 19:44:26
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