With a better wide receiver corps and Nick Chubb’s approaching comeback, the Cleveland Browns hope Deshaun Watson will relaunch his career next season.
However, not everyone is optimistic that the Browns’ $230 million quarterback will regain his Pro Bowl form.
Bleacher Report analyzed offseason overreactions throughout the league. The Browns’ overreaction was concentrated on Watson and his return to being a franchise quarterback. Watson’s recovery from shoulder surgery has been the story of the offseason in Cleveland, but B/R’s Brad Gagnon is skeptical that the 28-year-old will return to his prior form.
“Overreaction: With Nick Chubb expected to return and Jerry Jeudy joining the receiving corps, Deshaun Watson’s career can finally get back on track.
“Why? Watson has not been a productive NFL quarterback since 2020. He has lost the benefit of the doubt. Furthermore, Chubb may not be back to his former self for a while as he heals from a multi-ligament knee injury.
As Gagnon points out, Watson’s recent past is not in his favor. He has not appeared in more than six games since the 2020 season, owing to off-field troubles. Watson has appeared in 12 games with the Browns following a blockbuster deal in 2022. He has thrown for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
Watson has been throwing during OTAs, and the Browns are pleased with what they have seen.
“He looked like himself to me,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski remarked on May 22. “I’ve been able to observe him in the previous few weeks now that we’ve entered Phase 2. I have seen him toss. He’s making fantastic progress, and we’ll continue to monitor the medical team, but he appears to be himself.”
The Browns are unsure of Nick Chubb’s return timeline.
The second factor is Chubb’s availability, since he is recovering from his own serious injury.
Chubb suffered a devastating knee injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. He underwent two separate procedures to repair his ACL and MCL. The most recent of them occurred in November.
The Browns are pleased with Chubb’s progress in his rehab. However, he has not been participating in OTAs, and the team is lowering expectations for his comeback.
“Nick’s feeling pretty good,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry stated during a May 2 interview with Anthony Lima on 92.3 The Fan’s Ken Carman Show. “He’s doing an excellent job in his treatment. He still has a long way to go, but he is making good progress at the moment.
When healthy, Chubb is one of the NFL’s top backs. The four-time Pro Bowler has run for 6,511 yards and 48 touchdowns in 77 games.
Browns are confident in their new-look receivers
Watson will have some formidable weapons to work with in the passing game. This summer, the Browns acquired Jerry Jeudy, a former first-round choice who joins Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore.
The Browns soon signed Jeudy to a three-year contract, making him an important part of the offense moving forward.
“When we acquired Jerry via trade this spring, it was with the vision that he would become a core member of our offense in 2024 and beyond,” Berry stated in a statement. “He is a scheme-versatile receiver with exceptional ability to separate from man coverage and a variety of ways to produce on the perimeter or in the slot.
“At 24 years old and just entering his prime, we are pleased to have Jerry as a member of the Browns for the next several seasons and believe the best is yet to come.”
Watson also has a Pro Bowl tight end in David Njoku, as well as a few younger wide receivers, like David Bell, Cedric Tillman, and Jamari Thrash, who will be competing for bigger roles.
Leave a Reply