The browns being the browns

The most plausible reason I have heard was from Williamson: 1) they know they will stink and all the QB's stink 2) It is easier to go with Watson, stink, then bench him for Shadeur then to go the other way (start Shadeur, stink, then bring in Watson). The only actual positive thought was that Watson checks it down alot at this point and since they invested in offensive skill positions it could be somewhat effective, rather than Shadeur who tends to hold the ball.

 

There is some type of Insurance policy that the Browns are trying to use to receive a credit.


AI Overview
The Cleveland Browns are projected to receive up to $88.78 million in salary cap credits from 2024 through 2029 due to an insurance policy tied to Deshaun Watson's contract, though the exact payout totals remain debated by cap analysts.

The Insurance Addendum

• Origin: Added during a March 2023 contract restructuring of Watson's $230 million fully guaranteed deal. [1, 2]
• Coverage: Designed to reimburse the team for a percentage of guaranteed salary if Watson missed significant time due to injuries (such as his 2023 shoulder injury and 2024–2025 Achilles issues). [1, 2]
• Cap Relief: Reimbursed funds translate into future salary cap credits rather than immediate spending space, extending across multiple seasons through 2029 due to void years on the contract. [1, 2, 3]