The Cleveland Browns’ opening game of the NFL season against the Dallas Cowboys was a disaster, to say the least, and it has led to speculation that the team’s patience with quarterback Deshaun Watson might be running thin.

Fans and analysts have been closely watching Watson’s performance, especially after a tumultuous offseason, and the consensus after Sunday’s loss is that the Browns may be regretting their investment in him.

The 33-17 defeat was a rough start to the season, and Watson’s play raised even more concerns about his ability to lead this team moving forward.

The game itself was an ugly affair for the Browns.

By halftime, the Cowboys had established firm control, and by the third quarter, the game was all but over with a score of 27-3, punctuated by a punt return touchdown from Dallas’ KaVontae Turpin.

Watson’s individual performance was one of the lowest points in his career.

Completing only 24 of 45 passes for a paltry 169 yards, he threw one touchdown but also two costly interceptions.

The offense was stagnant, and Watson faced relentless pressure from the Cowboys’ defense, being sacked six times in the game.

For a player who was once considered one of the league’s top quarterbacks, these numbers were far from what was expected of him.

While Watson’s struggles as a quarterback were glaring, what has added even more fuel to the fire is an incident in the fourth quarter that has since gone viral on social media.

After recovering a fumble, Browns’ veteran guard Joel Bitonio was seen on the ground, and as Watson extended his hand to help him up, Bitonio seemingly ignored him.

Instead of accepting Watson’s hand, Bitonio got up on his own, leading fans on platforms like X/Twitter to question if this was a subtle sign of growing discontent among Watson’s teammates.

The optics of this moment have not been lost on NFL fans or analysts.

The speculation is now rampant that the Browns’ locker room may be losing faith in Watson, a player who has been surrounded by controversy ever since he arrived in Cleveland.

This minor on-field incident has become a symbol of what could be a deeper divide within the team.

Fans have been quick to point out that if the locker room is indeed turning against Watson, it would mark a disastrous development for a team that made a massive investment in him both financially and in terms of future draft capital.

To fully understand why Watson’s performance and the subsequent fallout is such a big deal, it’s important to look back at the circumstances surrounding his acquisition.

Here's a better view. I don't know. Does Bitonio slap Watson's hand away when Watson tries to help him up? It does look like it. https://t.co/ohSsNt23vZ pic.twitter.com/VoQZPA6MvC

— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) September 9, 2024

Watson was traded to the Browns from the Houston Texans in 2022, after sitting out the entire 2021 season due to legal issues stemming from numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.

The Browns not only gave up multiple first-round draft picks to acquire him, but they also handed him an unprecedented fully guaranteed $230 million contract, making him one of the highest-paid players in the history of the league.

At the time, it was seen as a bold move, but one that came with significant risk given Watson’s off-field troubles and the long layoff from playing.

That gamble has yet to pay off. Watson’s performances in the games he played for Cleveland last season were underwhelming, and he hasn’t shown the elite form that made him a Pro Bowl quarterback in Houston.

While some of the blame can be attributed to rust from missing a year of football and adjusting to a new team, the Browns had hoped that a full offseason with the team would help Watson return to his previous level.

After Sunday’s dismal performance, however, that hope seems to be fading fast.

The Browns, as a team, have been built to win now. They have a strong defense, playmakers on offense like Nick Chubb and Amari Cooper, and a solid offensive line led by Bitonio.

The missing piece, or so it seemed, was a franchise quarterback who could elevate the team to legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

That’s why they went all-in on Watson. But if he continues to play like he did on Sunday, he could become more of a liability than a savior.

The chemistry between a quarterback and his offensive line is crucial, and moments like the one between Bitonio and Watson on Sunday could be indicative of a deeper rift.

If Bitonio, one of the most respected players on the team and a long-time Browns leader, is indeed frustrated with Watson, it could signal a bigger issue within the locker room.

Trust is everything in football, and if Watson has lost the trust of his teammates, it will be nearly impossible for him to turn things around on the field.

Of course, this could all be overblown. Players get frustrated during games, especially during a blowout loss like the one the Browns experienced.

Bitonio’s decision to get up on his own could have been nothing more than a split-second reaction in the heat of the moment.

However, the fact that fans and analysts are even discussing it shows how fragile Watson’s position with the Browns is right now.

The Browns’ front office, led by general manager Andrew Berry, is likely feeling the pressure as well.

They bet the future of the franchise on Watson, and if he doesn’t turn things around soon, the ramifications could be disastrous. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is also on the hot seat.

His job security could very well be tied to Watson’s performance.

If Watson continues to struggle, Stefanski could become the scapegoat, even though the decision to bring in Watson was likely more of an organizational one than a coaching one.

For Watson, the path forward is clear, but difficult. He needs to regain his form and quickly.

The Browns’ schedule doesn’t get any easier, and the pressure is only going to mount with each poor performance.

More importantly, Watson needs to win back the trust of his teammates.

If the locker room is divided, it will be impossible for this team to succeed, regardless of how much talent they have on paper.

As for the fans, many have already made up their minds.

The incident with Bitonio has only strengthened the belief that Watson is not the right quarterback for the Browns, and there are already calls for the team to look elsewhere for a solution.

However, given the financial commitment the Browns have made, Watson isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

The team is tied to him, at least for the next few years, whether the fans like it or not.

In the end, the situation with Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns is a cautionary tale about the risks of going all-in on a player with a troubled past.

Watson has the talent to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but talent alone isn’t enough.

He needs to prove that he can lead this team, both on and off the field.

Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys was a wake-up call, and if Watson doesn’t respond soon, the Browns could find themselves in an even deeper hole than they are now.

The season is young, but time is running out for Watson to change the narrative.