Cleveland Browns: 4 scapegoats if things go wrong for team in 2022

The Cleveland Browns hope to have a great 2022 season but if they don’t several scapegoats will likely emerge from the troubles

We are all looking to blame someone. That’s no different for the Cleveland Browns and their fans. We have to find scapegoats to put our blame on when seasons, games, or any number of negative situations take place with this team.

The Browns just traded Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers. Quarterbacks in the NFL are usually an easy scapegoat when things go south for their teams. You take the good with the bad and in the case of Mayfield and the Browns, they both contributed to this separation.

Cleveland now has a new quarterback in town in Deshaun Watson and he too will be added to the list of potential new scapegoats in the season ahead if the team has problems this year. After we look at Watson, we’ll look at a few more scapegoats that could creep into the picture.

4 Potential Cleveland Browns scapegoats in 2022

Cleveland Browns scapegoat No. 4: Deshaun Watson

If Watson doesn’t start the season and is suspended for any number of games, we will put some of the blame on the potential poor play of the team on the shoulders of the new quarterback. “If he hadn’t been suspended, we’d be winning right now,” some will say.

Then, of course, if he does play and the team struggles, he’ll be blamed simply because he’s the quarterback. It’s a tough spot to be in, but that’s why quarterbacks get paid the big bucks and in this case $230 million.

There are 10 other players on offense and a team defense that takes the field every Sunday as well, but Watson will be the most scrutinized and analyzed quarterback this season. Everything he does will be gone over with a fine-tooth comb.

While his job is extremely important to the team’s success, he is the easiest target as well. Scapegoating him is simple but it won’t be the only reason for the team’s potential struggles.