Former Colts HC points finger at Browns’ “terrible” Joe Flacco decision as franchise grapples with $230,000,000 Deshaun Watson dilemma
Former Indianapolis Colts player and head coach Jeff Saturday had a strong message regarding the Cleveland Browns' season and how they handled the Joe Flacco-Deshaun Watson situation once the 2023 season finished.
They let Flacco go and join the Colts in the offseason and brought Jameis Winston as Watson's backup. Five weeks into the 2024 season, Saturday thinks the Browns made the wrong decision regarding the Baltimore Ravens icon.
"It's unbelievable, and the thing is the defense is fine, the special teams have played well," Saturday said on Tuesday's edition of Get Up! "You have literally attached your season to a guy that's not playing--make the move. You have to make the move.
"They made a terrible decision letting go of Joe Flacco. Whatever. That’s spilled milk. But put in someone your team can rally around. Because at some point, the defense and special teams are gonna be, ‘Why are we showing up if no one else is.’”
The Browns showed they were the most resilient team in the league last season, making the playoffs after losing key pieces including Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb as well as a couple of defensive pieces.
They entered this season with renewed hopes, especially knowing that Watson and Chubb would return. But Cleveland boasts a 1-4 record after a blowout 34-13 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday. What appeared to be a promising season is quickly turning into a nightmare.
Analyst explains why Browns refuse to bench Deshaun Watson despite poor start
While Jeff Saturday said that the Browns made a mistake parting ways with Joe Flacco, Chris Simms explained why the team has been unsuccessful in benching Deshaun Watson after an underwhelming first five weeks of competition.
"[0:18] Their offense stinks," Simms said. "He doesn't see the field that well. He doesn't throw the ball that well. He doesn't look as fast. He makes no plays off-schedule. He watches the rush a lot. He misses throws like this. He turns the ball over.
"The ownership and the front office are going to double down because they made a mistake. So they're going to go, 'We want to make sure we screw everybody in Cleveland over because we made the mistake.' And that's what it looks like right now."
Simms said that benching Watson would mean the Browns admit that they made a mistake by letting Baker Mayfield go.