Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Sean Clifford

Saturday, December 6, 9:14 PM

The Cleveland Browns are planning to keep quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on their roster next season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. While Watson is considered unlikely to play this season as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles that required multiple surgeries, the team has expressed interest in keeping him on the roster, noting that the 30-year-old's veteran presence is valuable for their pair of rookie quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Another big reason Watson is expected to return is due to the fact that the Browns would have to take on a dead salary of close to $135 million if they released him before June 1 and a $53 million cap charge if he was designated as a post-June 1 cap casualty. The record for dead-cap money was set by the Denver Broncos with quarterback Russell Wilson at $85 million, which they split into two years, but releasing Watson would cost the Browns significantly more. With Watson set to return in 2026, he's expected to compete with Sanders and Gabriel for Cleveland's starting gig.

Tuesday, September 16, 10:12 AM

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed quarterback Sean Clifford to their practice squad. A 2023 fifth-round pick, Clifford spent his rookie season with the Green Bay Packers and has yet to attempt a pass in the NFL. With Joe Burrow (toe) sidelined for at least the next three months, Clifford joins Jake Browning and Mike White in the quarterback room. Browning is expected to start in Burrow's absence, while White and Clifford serve strictly as depth options. From a fantasy perspective, Clifford carries no value and should remain on the waiver wire.