Browns have a 'messy' QB situation that Deshaun Watson can still make worse

The Cleveland Browns signed another quarterback on Monday.

The reasoning for adding Tyler Huntley may show itself in time, but it certainly was an eye-catching move when the news broke, not because of Huntley's ability, but because of what it represents.

Huntley joins a QB room that already includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

And, as Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio was quick to point out, a building that also still has Deshaun Watson.

"Deshaun Watson is still on the team," Florio wrote. "And he’s trying to get himself ready to play after a twice-torn Achilles tendon. At some point, he’ll be healthy. At some point, he’ll be cleared. What happens when he shows up with a piece of paper in hand that tells the world he’s ready to play?"

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It's unlikely Watson would be ready to play until December, so the Browns should be able to put him on the physically unable to perform list until then.

But if Watson is cleared to play, Cleveland will either have to activate him or face a grievance if they try to act like he isn't actually ready yet.

"The stakes are high for the Browns," Florio wrote. "If they opt not to put him on the roster with their existing clusterfudge of quarterbacks, releasing him would set the stage for a devastating 2026 cap charge of $131.161 million. (They’ll still be absorbing those cap dollars, in time.) The best outcome for the Browns is to get Watson to want to spend the season on the PUP list. But why should Watson play along? Earlier this year, owner Jimmy Haslam told reporters the Watson trade and contract were 'a big swing and a miss.' Why would Watson want to do Haslam any favors? Watson wants to prove Haslam wrong. The best way to do that will be to show up and play. And play well."

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Watson has never lived up to the cost the Browns paid for him, and at this point, it's too late to expect him to remedy that.

But if he wants an NFL future, he likely needs to put good film out there before eventually becoming a free agent.

Watson will carry off-field baggage for the rest of his career, and now he's created loads of doubts about whether he's even good enough as a football player to warrant a job anymore.

The Browns have that drama coming their way, as if a five-man QB "competition" wasn't enough already.

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