The Cleveland Browns open their 2024 season in opposition to Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys—and Deshaun Watson is prepared for something. He suffered a season-ending shoulder harm final yr however is able to go. And he additionally believes that he nonetheless has the identical expertise he as soon as confirmed routinely in Houston.
Requested by reporters yesterday if he believes he’s nonetheless among the many elite quarterbacks within the NFL, Watson mentioned, “In fact, little doubt”, by way of the Browns’ web site. He additionally believes he can deal with a shootout with Prescott. “I’m up for any problem. So, I’m not afraid of something”, he mentioned.
Throughout his 4 seasons taking part in for the Houston Texans, Deshaun Watson put up 269.2 passing yards per recreation. He tossed 104 landing passes in 54 video games performed, almost two per recreation, in opposition to simply 36 interceptions. Statistically, he definitely positioned among the many greatest—and typically truly was.
He hasn’t put up these numbers in Cleveland, nevertheless. Watson has solely performed in 12 video games over two seasons, lacking 11 video games as a consequence of suspension and 11 as a consequence of harm. In these 12 video games, he’s throwing for 184.8 yards per recreation, tossing 14 touchdowns to 9 interceptions.
The Browns did go 5-1 within the six video games through which he performed final yr earlier than his harm. However Deshaun Watson has spent important parts of this offseason rehabbing, even limiting days throughout coaching camp. He advised reporters that he felt he might have gone, however others made the choice for him.
“I might have completed the observe, however it was the medical’s resolution the place they only advised me, any kind of soreness or something you’re feeling, then simply, we’re going to take the excessive roll and never attempt to push something to make something additional”, Watson mentioned. “The secret’s to play 17-plus video games, not end coaching camp, and attempt to be, you recognize, superhero on the time. In order that was just about it. However to date, I’ve been nicely and simply taking it someday at a time”.
Whatever the causes, it’s fairly outstanding that Deshaun Watson has simply 65 begins since 2017. He has been a full-time starter throughout almost that whole time but manages to get in his personal approach. Even when he’s nonetheless an elite quarterback, in his personal thoughts, the most effective capacity stays availability.
The final time Watson performed something approaching a full season was 2020. To provide you perspective as to how way back that was, individuals truly appreciated Chase Claypool on the time. Whereas he nonetheless has three years of assured cash, the Browns should not required to really play him. He nonetheless has to show that he deserves to be on the sector. Annually it turns into simpler and simpler to bench him, and even merely reduce ties.