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The Cleveland Browns have a deep quarterback room filled with talent. However, much of their success will depend on starter Deshaun Watson.
If he doesn’t play up to expectations in 2024, he could be one of the NFL quarterback “most likely to lose their starting job,” according to Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler.
“Over the last two campaigns, the quarterback play in Cleveland has simply not been good enough,” Fowler wrote in an August 7 story. “The team has seen six different quarterbacks earn time under center, and presumed 2024 starter Deshaun Watson has thrown 14 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions in his last two campaigns combined. Moving into 2024, a lack of success in the early portion of the year could heighten questions at the position.”
Since acquiring Watson in 2022 from Houston Texans for three first-round picks and more draft capital and signing him to a record five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract, he has played only 12 games for the Browns.
“Since Cleveland sold the farm for Watson years ago, things have only continued to spiral downward at the position,” Fowler wrote. “Watson has looked lost at times in the pocket, leaving many to speculate whether or not head coach Kevin Stefanski should be so quick to hand Watson the keys to the offense this fall.
“Cleveland has a talented roster on both sides of the ball, but a lack of improvement under center could keep the Browns out of playoff contention. Offseason additions Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley will loom large, as will 2023 Day 3 pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson,” he wrote.
Realistic Expectations for Deshaun Watson & the Cleveland Browns
Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in May, “We do have high expectations for him and the offense this season.”
Putting up numbers similar to those of his 2019 season with the Texans would be a good starting point. That year, he went to this second of three consecutive Pro Bowls, throwing for 3,852 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
For that trade to be deemed successful, the Browns would have to win a Super Bowl, as it’s one of the biggest trades in NFL history. However, after what he’s shown in his first two seasons in Cleveland, that might be an unrealistic ask.
His best year came in 2020, when he threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. That type of performance would make the Browns a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
But Yahoo Sports’ Frank Shwab wrote on the eve of training camp that “skepticism that Deshaun Watson will ever be an above-average quarterback again is fair.”
“Time has run out for more excuses,” he wrote on July 24. “This seems like a make-or-break season for Watson. … The Browns might also have little choice but to start considering other options if Watson is below average again.”
Watson Won’t Play in First Preseason Game
Despite Watson’s struggles, he won’t play in the first game of the Cleveland Browns preseason on August 10 against the Green Bay Packers. He’s coming back from an arm injury, so the decision not to play him in the first preseason game doesn’t come as a surprise.
According to Kelsey Russo, a Browns staff writer, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that he’s done a “nice job” throwing the football in practice. That’s a promising sign as he looks to return to the field for Week 1 and stay healthy during 2024-25.
“I talked to Coach (Matt) LaFleur, very similar to Coach LaFleur’s plan. Some guys will not play whether they’re injured or coming back from an injury or my decision,” Stefanski said.
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