Deshaun Watson has faced a storm of criticism and speculation, but the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns is honing in on one goal: returning to the field stronger than ever. Watson’s journey back from a pair of Achilles injuries has been anything but easy. He initially ruptured his Achilles last October and faced a setback when he suffered another rupture during his recovery in January. As a result, he’s expected to miss much, if not all, of the upcoming season.
Cleveland’s management appears to be moving on from Watson, with owner Jimmy Haslam referring to the 2022 trade that brought him to the franchise as a “swing and miss.” But Watson is determined not to let outside opinions dictate his mindset. “You know, everyone’s doubting me. Everyone doesn’t believe in me. They don’t think that I can get back to where I was,” he shared in a video on social media. Despite the noise, he remains resolute, saying, “I believe in the work that I put in… the peace that I’ve been channeling these last couple of months… I know I’m gonna be way better than before.”
Once a burgeoning star in the NFL with three Pro Bowl selections, Watson’s career has hit turbulence due to off-field issues that have overshadowed his on-field performance. As the Browns’ starting quarterback, he holds a modest 9-10 record, throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Last season was particularly rough for Watson, culminating in an Achilles injury. During his time on the field, he struggled to ignite the offense, failing to score more than 20 points in each game and not hitting the 200-yard passing mark in any matchup.
Watson is now channeling a renewed focus, emphasizing that he has adopted a clearer mindset. “I’m prepared. And I think before I wasn’t prepared because I was kind of going with the flow of how the world was seeing me,” he commented. He acknowledges that setbacks can forge resilience, stating, “When you get knocked down to the ground and you got to stand back up and walk through the rain, that brings out the real fire, another challenge, the grit that you have.”
While Watson contemplates his comeback, the Browns are grappling with their quarterback situation for the future. Although they may be preparing to move on from Watson, clarity remains elusive. Kenny Pickett, acquired through trade in March, is the only healthy QB currently on the roster.
Adding to the intrigue, Cleveland holds the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft and could potentially use it to select a quarterback. However, the consensus seems to lean toward a different direction, with Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter emerging as a strong favorite for that pick. Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter also figures prominently in draft discussions.
On the quarterback front, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are among the top prospects this year, but the Browns are keeping their options open. Recent reports indicate that the team conducted pre-draft visits with quarterbacks Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, and Tyler Shough, all of whom are projected to be available later in the draft. As Cleveland navigates this transitional period, all eyes will be on how they approach this pivotal moment.
