The Deshaun Watson suspension has been announced and the Cleveland Browns will be without their new franchise quarterback for six games. Cleveland planned for a suspension of some length, given that Watson’s record-setting $230 million contract featured a 2022 salary of just over $1 million, though he still has a cap hit of more than $10 million for the season.
Watson’s absence leaves Jacoby Brissett as the unquestioned starter for the Browns barring injury and the current backup QB is Joshua Dobbs, formerly of the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Sportsbooks have been forced to walk the line between Watson and Brissett when it comes to futures and game lines, but clarity with the situation has brought about plenty of changes.
When Watson was acquired on March 18, the Browns jumped from 30/1 to 14/1 to win Super Bowl LVII at DraftKings Sportsbook. After a variety of offseason adjustments, the Browns had settled in at 28/1 to win Super Bowl, along with prices of 14/1 to win the AFC and + 275 to win the AFC North.
Most sportsbooks pulled Browns' futures odds as the decision neared.