When the Cleveland Browns signed Deshaun Watson to a massive five-year, guaranteed contract, the expectations were Super Bowl or bust.
However, Watson has fallen well short of expectations so far. The 2023 NFL season was marred by injury as he suffered a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the remainder of the year.
By all accounts, Watson will be fully healthy for the 2024 NFL campaign, though he now has a lot to prove as Cleveland is all-in on a Super Bowl.
At his best, Watson is a difference-maker on the field because of his arm talent and running ability. Though it’s been a while since he’s been able to show all of that in a high-stakes game.
Cleveland’s defense is strong and can keep the team in games, but they’ll need Watson to get them over the hump in a loaded AFC.
Former NFL star Cam Newton believes Watson needs to step up and prove that he is the answer for Cleveland’s championship drought via the 4thand1show.
“Tick tock,” Newton said. “He on the clock.”
https://t.co/A7ucc5kPfY pic.twitter.com/nbMtrokwJd
— 4thand1show (@4thand1show) July 13, 2024
Newton explains that NFL quarterbacks are judged by their performance in the playoffs and called on Watson to lead a Browns run before his time is up in the league.
Newton also gives Watson some grace due to his injury, though he later said he still needs to step up when the time comes.
Cleveland has the pieces to make a deep postseason run, but the team will only go as far as Watson can take them.
