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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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Deshaun Watson had his chance Sunday to show the Cleveland Browns organization was right to stay committed to its $230 million investment in him. The result was a 34-10 blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, with Watson finishing 16 of 22 for 205 yards and one touchdown, along with one interception and a fumble.
There were worse performances around the NFL, which Browns fans may not want to admit, but the Cleveland offense struggled to move the ball all game. It's not all on Watson, but for an already divisive figure clinging to a last chance in Cleveland, it wasn't a convincing showing.
Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like things are going to change anytime soon. According to Fox Sports' Ralph Vacchiano, Browns head coach Todd Monken is expected to give Watson a "long leash."
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"On my visit to Browns training camp, multiple people told me first-year coach Todd Monken planned to give Watson a long leash," Vacchiano wrote. "So expect him to remain the starter at least through October — for better or, more likely, for worse."
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This is the last thing Browns fans want to hear. Watson was already in the doghouse for calling out his own fanbase, describing Browns fans as "disrespectful" and "personal" following Cleveland's preseason loss to the Bills. When you're a player who's already disliked by half the football world for what you've done off the field, you can't afford subpar performances, fair or not.
It feels like the organization will have no other choice but to turn to Shedeur Sanders at some point this season. How soon that happens will depend on how Watson performs. If the Browns can begin stringing together wins, fans may soon forget about Watson's struggles. But in the eyes of Browns fans, at least, he's on a short leash, even if the head coach feels otherwise.
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