Stop sleeping on Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns

Understandably so, a lot of people seem to be counting out Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland
Browns in 2023. Watson has played just six games in the last two years, missing the entirety of 2021 due to off-the-field issues, and then facing an 11-game ban to start the 2022 season.

In 2022, Watson started the final six games of the season, the Browns went 3-3 in those games and he looked a complete shell of himself. For context, Watson started just six games in his rookie
season and performed much better than he did in 2022. In the six games he started as a rookie, he
passed for 1699 yards and 19 touchdowns as opposed to just 1,109 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. His completion percentage was the lowest in his career too. Watson came back a shell of himself.

However, a year away from the game and not being allowed to practice at the facility with his new
teammates was probably a major factor in his drop-off in play. But a full offseason getting back into the groove will certainly help him and the Browns be competitive in arguably the most difficult
division in football.

There is a reason the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson a $230 million contract which was fully guaranteed. Off-the-field issues aside, Watson is undoubtedly one of the top five quarterbacks in the league on his day, and he didn’t just forget how to play the position.

The Browns have talent all over the roster, starting with a solid offensive line that has allowed Nick Chubb to become one of the running backs in the league. They have a plethora of weapons on the outside too, so there are plenty of targets for Watson. The situation is perfect for a quarterback, let alone one of Watson’s caliber.

The defensive side of the ball is no slouch either, led by perennial All-Pro Myles Garett, the Browns
have one of the best rosters top to bottom in the NFL. There is no reason for them not to make a
deep run in the playoffs.