CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Tom Ley

Deshaun Watson wearing traditional Saudi clothing.

NFL’s Preeminent Creep Now Trying To Lure League To Saudi Arabia

An exterior view of Cleveland Browns Stadium prior to the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 10, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Journalismism

Iconic And Brave: Plain Dealer Editor Decided Not To Report Some News About The Browns

Samer Kalaf

Christian Harris drags Joe Flacco to the ground in the Browns-Texans wild card game.

The Texans Send Joe Flacco Back To His Couch

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 28: Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Joe Flacco Went From His Couch To The Playoffs

Alex Highsmith #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is congratulated by Nick Herbig #51 after scoring a touchdown after an interception against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Steelers in black jerseys with yellow trim, black helmets. Fans behind them. Also behind them: There is a cameraman in the center who has his tongue out and is making kind of a funny face. Ok, a very funny face.

The Steelers Win, But They Still Stink!

Dawand Jones #74 of the Cleveland Browns blocks Nolan Smith #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Lessons Learned At A Terrible Eagles Preseason Game

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during the Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 31, 2023 in Berea, Ohio.

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Cleveland Browns

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 04: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens watches the game against the Denver Broncos at M&amp;T Bank Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

The Ravens Can’t Just Pretend The Browns Didn’t Give Deshaun Watson All That Money

Ron Rivera Went Down With His Chosen Scrub

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks onward from the sideline during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Houston, Texas.

Deshaun Watson Returns And The Browns Win Without Him

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

New Lawsuit Filed Against Deshaun Watson

Nathan Shepherd on the Jets celebrates after he leaves the field

I Can’t Believe The Browns Blew This One

Patrick Redford

Baker Mayfield Maybe Cussed

Why Your Team Sucks 2022: Cleveland Browns

Kalyn Kahler

A photo of lawyer Tony Buzbee unveiling a giant blow up of a Adam Schefter tweet. The tweet reads: "This is why Deshaun Watson, from the beginning, welcomed a police investigation: He felt he knew that the truth would come out. And today, a grand jury did not charge him on any of the criminal complaints."

Lawyer For 24 Women Who Sued Deshaun Watson Slams NFL Investigation—And Adam Schefter

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

A screenshot of Ashley Solis speaking at a press conference on Thursday. She is standing at a podium, in front of two microphones, and looking into the camera.

The Full Statement Of Ashley Solis, The First Woman To Speak Out Against Deshaun Watson

This Is A Mess

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during Cleveland Browns training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022 in Berea, Ohio.

At Browns Camp, Deshaun Watson’s Six-Game Suspension Is Nobody’s Business

Deshaun Watson’s Short Suspension Falls Squarely On The NFL

Deshaun Watson Suspended Six Games

Ray Ratto

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns takes off his helmet as he warms up during the Cleveland Browns mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 14, 2022 in Berea, Ohio.

Nobody Wins In The Deshaun Watson-NFL Hearings

Deshaun Watson Settles 20 Of 24 Lawsuits Filed Against Him

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 04: A general view during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)