Browns AFC North Odds Sliding as Deshaun Watson Saga Continues

As the Deshaun Watson saga has continued through this offseason, the Cleveland Browns have seen their odds of winning the AFC North grow longer.

The Browns had been the co-favorites to win the AFC North, according to odds posted last week by FanDuel Sportsbook, with Cleveland and the Baltimore Ravens both possessing +200 odds of a division title. Now, the Browns are +270, third behind the Ravens (+160) and the defending champs, the Cincinnati Bengals, have the second-best odds at +200.

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Watson had thought his legal troubles were mostly behind him after his trade from the Houston Texans to the Browns, but since then, a 24th accuser has come forward and a New York Times investigation found as many as 66 potential victims. The NFL has interviewed Watson but has not announced any disciplinary measures. 

Cleveland.com recently reported that the Browns are not trying to void the record contract the team gave to Watson or the trade with Houston, even though the Times uncovered evidence that Houston may have helped Watson cover up his behavior.

Cleveland’s incumbent starter Baker Mayfield is still on the team’s roster, but has not practiced with the club since it traded for Watson. Mayfield was excused from Cleveland’s mandatory minicamp.

Jacoby Brissett and former Steelers backup Josh Dobbs are the other two quarterbacks on Cleveland’s roster.

The Steelers odds of wining the division have not changed. Pittsburgh still has the fourth-best odds at +850.