Deshaun Watson is no longer a viable starting NFL quarterback.

He hasn’t been that since 2020 when he was still a member of the Houston Texans.

Watson has a pedestrian 9-8 record since arriving in ClevelandGetty

This isn’t breaking news, but as each week passes by and he’s still out there as the Cleveland Browns $240 million QB1, it only becomes more and more evident.

Eventually, the Browns are going to have to do something .

And that something is putting Watson and his record-setting guaranteed salary on the bench for Jameis Winston.

In the latest piece of evidence that proves Watson needs to find his way to the bench was his dreadful performance against the Washington Commanders in a 34-13 loss.

Watson finished his uninspiring outing by going 15-28 for 125 yards and one touchdown.

The Browns now sit at 1-4, tied for last in the AFC North with the scuffling Cincinnati Bengals.

All signs should be pointing at a quarterback change.

At least if you’re everyone but head coach Kevin Stefanski.

After the game Stefanski made it clear there will be no change.

“We’re not changing quarterbacks, Stefanski said. “We need to play better. I need to coach better. That’s really what it is.”

Watson’s contract was a record-setting $240 million guaranteed contract that is now viewed as arguably one of the worst contract of all-time in professional sportsGetty Images – Getty

The Watson experiment is over. It’s been over.

But because of the contract that the Browns gave him they feel obligated to start him.

They shouldn’t. Not anymore. The play is unacceptable.

From the ownership, to the front office, to the coaching staff, it’s time to make the change.

Everyone knows.

You would have thought Watson was the one making his fifth career start in the NFL, not his counterpart Jayden Daniels who has looked every bit the part since arriving in Washington.

That’s what a franchise quarterback looks like.

Hell, look what Joe Flacco did today with the Indianapolis Colts.

Reminder, Cleveland chose not to bring Flacco back.

And now they are left at 1-4 on a sinking rudderless ship.

They have no one to blame but themselves.

Watson’s days as a starting quarterback are gone and the sooner Cleveland realizes it and swallows their pride and sticks him on the bench, the better they will be.

Besides, who doesn’t want to Winston back under center.

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