With the litigation and suspension behind him, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson can focus on preparing to play a full season. But Dan Patrick doesn’t know if Watson’s baggage is worth spotlighting Cleveland on national television.
Patrick on Tuesday was discussing recent comments by Watson at training camp lashing out at the media over coverage of civil proceedings and allegations that Watson was a sexual predator. Patrick said in terms of Watson and the Browns, there’s a reason why networks aren’t clamoring to throw Cleveland in prime time. But Deshaun’s actions have a lot to do with it.
“They’re not must-see TV,” Patrick said. “If Deshaun Watson didn’t have this off the field, then he would be a must-see quarterback. I don’t know how many times the Browns are going to be on national TV, but if I’m a network executive – CBS, NBC, ESPN – how many times do you want them?”
Dan felt like even when the games aren’t in the national window, Watson’s off-field issues are still going to be a topic of conversation. It shouldn’t dominate the rundown of the broadcast, but it needs to be brought up.
“You want to present the facts, but how much time do you spend on something like this?” Dan asked. “Your pre-game show. Nobody wants to hear that Deshaun Watson, the media was out to get him. We want to see him play football.”
