It was hoped the Cleveland Browns had finally found their legitimate franchise quarterback when they traded for Deshaun Watson two years ago.
But after serving an 11-game suspension in 2022 stemming from his many misconduct allegations, he failed to regain the form he had displayed while with the Houston Texans when he made three straight Pro Bowls.
On Fox Sports 1’s “Speak,” James Jones said he feels Watson’s best football may be in the rearview mirror.
.@89JonesNTAF doesn’t believe we will ever see the best version of Deshaun Watson again. pic.com/73TH5GAceS
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) June 21, 2024
In his last full season with the Texans, Watson completed 70.2 percent of his pass attempts and threw for 33 touchdowns and an NFL-high 4,823 yards.
But in two years with Cleveland, he has thrown for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing just 59.8 percent of his pass attempts in 12 games.
He appeared in just six games in 2023 because of a shoulder injury that ended his season, yet without him and star running back Nick Chubb, the Browns somehow managed to win 11 games and make the playoffs.
Watson is just 28 years of age, so the plunge in his productivity is very puzzling, as he is way too young to be in decline.
Right after the Browns acquired him via trade, they gave him a five-year, $230 million contract, and right now, that decision is starting to look questionable or even bad.
With a number of other AFC teams having improved this offseason, Watson will absolutely need to look at least close to the player he was a few years ago if Cleveland is to make the playoffs again.
