Deshaun Watson Predicted to Be ʻDoneʻ With Browns
The Cleveland Browns‘ significant investment in Deshaun Watson is being questioned following his recent injury, with at least one NFL figure expressing doubts about his future.
Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against the Baltimore Ravens on November 12. He also missed time earlier in the season with a separate shoulder injury.
The Browns traded for Watson during the 2022 offseason, giving up a treasure trove of first-round picks. Cleveland also handed him an unprecedented five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million extension. Through two seasons, Watson will have played in just 12 games.
Mike Sando of The Athletic polled 50 coaches and executives to rank the league’s quarterbacks. One of the voters is not bullish on Watson regaining the Pro Bowl form he showed with the Houston Texans.
“Yeah, I think he’s done,” the voter told Sando. “He has always been a guy who holds the ball. He has always pressured himself. They need to call the game with him like they need to call it without him: heavy screen game, heavy run game, 12 personnel, quarterback keepers.”
Watson had some solid games for the Browns this season but never established himself among the elite quarterbacks in the league. He completed 61.4% of his passes this season for 1,115 yards, 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
The Browns don’t have any recourse when it comes to Watson’s contract. He’s linked to the team through the 2026 season.
The Browns initially named rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson as the starter following Watson’s season-ending injury. However, the team also added veteran Joe Flacco as a veteran option.
The door opened for Flacco to start after Thompson-Robinson suffered a concussion against the Denver Broncos. And in two starts, Flacco has performed at a high level, totaling 565 yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Flacco’s play has brought Watson into the criticism crosshairs, with some calling out the Browns’ franchise QB on social media.
“Joe Flacco isn’t a starting QB anymore, but it’s wild how much better he is than Deshaun Watson,” one fan wrote on X. “It’s a SIGNIFICANT upgrade despite Flacco barely knowing the offense and being about five years removed from being a decent QB.”
Others pointed to the hefty sum the Browns had to give up to land Watson.
“Imagine trading three firsts and guaranteeing Deshaun Watson a quarter of a billion dollars when you could have just signed Joe Flacco off the street,” another fan tweeted.
Browns legend Josh Cribbs recently came to Watson’s defense, saying the narrative should not be about him right now.
