The Cleveland Browns are putting all of their eggs into Deshaun Watson’s basket heading into 2024. If he plays well, the Browns could be legitimate contenders. If not, they will surely struggle.
It sounds pretty cut and dry, but the thing is that no one really knows what to expect from Watson.
That includes Greg Cosell of NFL Matchup, who recently provided a rather sobering take on the Browns quarterback.
Cosell hit the nail right on the head.
We can speculate all we want about Watson, but the fact of the matter is that he has played in just 12 games over the last three seasons.
There was a time when the 28-year-old was unquestionably one of the best signal-callers in football. Back in 2020 with the Houston Texans, for example, he led the NFL with 4,823 passing yards to go along with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also completed 70.2 percent of his passes while posting a passer rating of 112.4.
However, that ensuing offseason, Watson asked for a trade after becoming dissatisfied with the Texans’ front office. Then, sexual misconduct allegations against Watson surfaced, and he ended up sitting out all of 2021.
Houston ultimately traded Watson to Cleveland in March 2022, and the Browns proceeded to hand him a massive $230 million deal—fully guaranteed.
The Clemson product was suspended for the first 11 games of 2022 due to his off-the-field troubles, and in six games with the Browns that season, he threw for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.
Then, this past season, Watson appeared in just six contests before bowing out with a shoulder injury that would ultimately require surgery. During his time on the field, he totaled 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four picks.
Clearly, Watson has not played very well when he has gotten the chance since arriving in Cleveland, and given that he really has not had a great season in four years, his future is shrouded in mystery.
The Browns have a decent group of weapons highlighted by wide receiver Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku, so it’s not like Watson doesn’t have adequate help. Also, Cleveland boasted the NFL’s No. 1-ranked defense in 2023, at least in terms of yards allowed.
Overall, the Browns have a fine roster, which was why they still managed to win 11 games in 2023 with Watson sidelined most of the year.
Still, Cleveland’s ceiling in 2024 ultimately depends on which version of Deshaun Watson we see.
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