{
  "id": 3061906,
  "title": "Browns Urged to Take Drastic Action After Deshaun Watson’s ‘Career Ending’ Rant",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/browns-urged-to-take-drastic-action-after-deshaun-watsons-career",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-24T16:26:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/browns-urged-to-take-drastic-action-after-deshaun-watsons-career-ending-rant-12360275"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Cleveland Browns are facing a tumultuous time following quarterback Deshaun Watson's scathing criticism of fans for cheering when he suffered a torn Achilles during the 2024 season. Despite his poor performance in a recent preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, where he completed only 5 of 12 passes for just 36 yards, Browns head coach and GM decided to name Watson as the Week 1 starting QB. However, a commentator on \"Good Morning Football,\" Kyle Brandt, urged the team to take drastic action. Brandt suggested that the Browns should cut Watson, absorb his $40.9 million dead-cap charge, and put an end to one of the worst periods in the franchise's history. He criticized the team for trading for Watson, saying it was a \"nuclear option\" that resulted in a significant PR hit. Brandt also pointed out that the turmoil surrounding the team, including fans threatening to stop publicly supporting the Browns due to Watson's performance, is of their own doing. The Browns traded for Watson with the expectation that he would be their top-five quarterback, but his behavior and performance have raised doubts about that decision. If Watson struggles in the upcoming preseason games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Browns may consider switching to Shedeur Sanders in Week 3 when they play their first home game.",
  "summary": "One NFL analyst thinks it's time for the Cleveland Browns to finally do what they've been avoiding for years with Deshaun Watson.",
  "key_points": [
    "Browns facing crisis after Watson's rant.",
    "Kyle Brandt urges team to cut Watson.",
    "Team's poor performance fuels pressure."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}