Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Anthony Richardson

Thursday, March 6, 10:21 AM

The Cleveland Browns converted $44.75 million of Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 2025 salary into a signing bonus, creating $35.8 million of cap space. The team has already reworked Watson's contract in the past but is continuing to make moves to make it less of a financial burden in the future. Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract with Cleveland ahead of the 2022 campaign but, it's been a disastrous tenure for the former Houston Texans first-round pick. Watson has compiled a 9-10 record across three seasons behind 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. The 29-year-old's 2023 season ended with a major shoulder injury, and his 2024 season was cut short after suffering a torn Achilles. Since his in-game Achilles tear, he has suffered another Achilles setback. Watson is not expected to play in 2025, and it would be a surprise if he sees any playing time for Cleveland in 2026.

Tuesday, March 11, 12:27 PM

The Indianapolis Colts are preparing for an open quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson, who is healthy and has no plans to seek a trade, and Daniel Jones, agent Deiric Jackson told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "AR will be ready to roll," Jackson said. The plan all along was for the Colts to bring another QB in to compete with Richardson, who missed time with another injury in 2024 and was also benched in favor of veteran Joe Flacco. Jones will be that guy after inking a one-year, $14 million deal with Indy after he was cut by the New York Giants a season ago. The 27-year-old latched on with the Minnesota Vikings late in the year but never played. As long as Richardson stays healthy, it would be an upset if Jones won the job over him, but Richardson definitely needs to show improvement as a passer to take the next step. If Richardson wins the job, he'll have QB1 upside because of his rushing prowess.