An article from the Athletic from this morning has revealed a lot about the Watson era. It was apparent even before this that Watson’s ineptitude sent this season into a downward spiral that was difficult to salvage, and things could have gone better with half decent QB play.

The article from the Athletic explained how the Browns spent 3 years catering to Watson. It said that Watson agreed to run Stefanski’s offense, but after signing an extension, Watson started making problems for Stefanski. He no longer wanted to run Stefanski’s system and also created a feeling of heaviness in the locker room. Stefanski was not comfortable highlighting his negative plays in team meetings, which he immediately started doing once Winston was the QB.

The article made it evident that hiring Ken Dorsey and Andy Dickerson was soley an attempt to try to please the 230 million dollar man, and a hail mary to make things work. The move to hire Dorsey was a headscratcher at the time, but now it is evident why the Browns made the hire. It wasn’t because the Browns knew something we didn’t, it was not a calculated decision, it was a move of desperation. The Browns moved away from a scheme that gets the most out of QB’s, and had an identity, to Ken Dorsey’s idiotic, predictable scheme that doesn’t scare a defense in the world.

The article highlighted how players were frustrated with Watson play. “Watch all the film, guys are open” a player said. The article also stated how the locker room felt better when QBs like Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston were in, vs when Watson was in. The article stated “A couple veterans felt like a cloud had been lifted” after Watson’s 1st Achillies injury I think this suggests that decent level QB play next season can take this team a long way, and that even backups can run this offense at a competent level that Watson cannot.

I think the Browns need to go back to a version of their old scheme. A scheme where we establish the run, a scheme where you don’t know whether we are running or passing, a scheme where we use play action. Browns need to also use a variety of different personnel, and do presnap motion. Dorsey scheme’s only identity is relying on the QB to be superman, which even Josh Allen couldn’t handle, which is why guys like DTR were a disaster. We need to go back to a running and offensive line identity, which means we need to draft an RB and get some young talent on the OL.

Also read: Browns fire Ken Dorsey, Andy Dickerson after disaster season

photo credit: “Deshaun Watson” by Eric Drost is licensed under CC BY 2.0