The Dawgs are heading south for the summer.
Or, rather, not the summer; just south for a few days in May.
The Cleveland Browns’ offense is off to the Bahamas, just a few days before voluntary sessions begin on May 24.
While a practice field was booked for the team to get in some reps, it seems like the trip is mainly a bonding one.
It’s a smart move, considering the offense added a few new names to the roster this offseason, including receiver Amari Cooper.
Bahama-Mania
According to NFL Insider Josina Anderson, quarterback Deshaun Watson covered the cost of the trip:
I'm told #Browns QB Deshaun Watson is treating the offense to the Bahamas this weekend. The trip is for team-building and football chemistry as Watson has also secured a field there to continue offseason workouts.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) May 16, 2022
Both during the season and offseason, it’s not unusual for a quarterback to gift his teammates a special prize or reward for their efforts.
For example, last season Colts quarterback Carson Wentz and Patriots quarterback Mac Jones each went all out for their respective offensive linemen for Christmas.
Thus gifts like this not only give the players a nice base tan before camp, but they also can bond the guys together and increase team chemistry.
And that chemistry is so important.
Given Watson’s status on the team, any enhancement to the squad’s chemistry will be greatly valued.
As it stands now, Watson’s availability for the 2022-23 season is a little uncertain.
Watson currently faces 22 civil cases of sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct.
And further, Roger Goodell’s office has yet to weigh in with its punishment.
Given the obvious seriousness of the allegations, combined with other punishments the league has handed down thus far in the offseason, it wouldn’t be too surprising if Watson misses most, if not all of the season.
Baker’s Dozen
Noticeably absent from the Bahamas trip was Baker Mayfield.
And that was a common thread across fan reactions on the trip:
I have an opinion about the Bahamas trip but I'll keep that to myself.
— AdammitBrowns (@BrownsObsession) May 19, 2022
Deshaun Watson flying the whole Browns offense to the Bahamas for the weekend. pic.twitter.com/G6gj4g2aGS
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) May 16, 2022
"A man was arrested trying to board the Cleveland Browns team plane that was leaving for the Bahamas" pic.twitter.com/lmyGLsUd3j
— Quinn (@MindOfQuinn) May 16, 2022
#Browns in the Bahamas, via Nick Chubb’s IG pic.twitter.com/kaYfYgcize
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) May 19, 2022
perrion winfrey in the bahamas #Browns
pic.twitter.com/UZtGYxvk6b— cam (@CamrynKucharski) May 17, 2022
This Bahamas trip would be the exact thing to get me sooo freaking hyped for the #Browns. Instead I’m left wondering if the leader will be able to play at all. Cool.
— Girl In CLE 🥃 (@girlincle) May 19, 2022
Jarvis seeing the browns offense in the Bahamas running routes on the tropical beaches when all he got to go to was Lake Travis with Baker dancing while driving the boat https://t.co/4DPjPZIEws pic.twitter.com/vMTTyU0TBJ
— Gabe (@gabekovats) May 16, 2022
It should come as no surprise, given the fact that Mayfield has been on the outs all offseason.
Mayfield already skipped voluntary workouts and appears bent on getting out of Cleveland, especially after the team traded for Watson back in April.
The former Oklahoma Sooner signal-caller has waited on the trade block for some time, and it’s mildly surprising a team hasn’t taken a chance on him.
Throughout the entire pre-draft process, teams like the Steelers, Panthers, Seahawks, Commanders, and Falcons all looked like they needed help under center.
Instead of going with Mayfield, most settled on either mid-level veteran options (like Mitchell Trubisky, Marcus Mariota, or Carson Wentz) or took a swing on one of the draft’s quarterbacks (like Desmond Ridder and Kenny Pickett).
Who knows, maybe Mayfield stayed in town so that he wouldn’t miss any calls from his agent.
Or calls from the Panthers or Seahawks front office.
Or maybe it’s just because…things could have gotten awkward.
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