The Browns gave up much to acquire compensation, money, and reputation Deshaun Watson. For better or for worse, richer or poorer, the Browns are married to the quarterback for at least four more years.
So you have no choice but to make the most of the relationship.
Watson had not played for almost two years when he returned to the field after an 11-game suspension last season. He didn’t play like a quarterback worthy of the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history, throwing for 1,102 passing yards, seven touchdowns, five interceptions and a 3-3 record in six starts.
However, the Browns are confident that after Watson knocks off the gridiron, he will return to the Pro Bowl-level form he showed with the Texans.
“I think confidence for me comes from seeing it and I saw him doing it‘ Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said of Anthony Poisal on the team website. “I saw him in those games last season. I know it wasn’t perfect. I certainly wasn’t perfect. We weren’t perfect around him and as we all know it’s not a one man show. It’s a team game and we didn’t have as many team successes there towards the end of the season as we would have liked.
“But I’ve seen Deshaun do it in games. I have seen it in practice. I’ve seen it in his career, so I’m confident.”
The Browns upgraded guns for Watson and added receivers Elijah Moore and Marquise Goodwin and Tight End Jordan Akins. However, Watson’s improvement is the biggest reason for optimism in Cleveland.
“I think we’re all very excited for Deshaun, excited for a full offseason with the guys he’s already built chemistry with and some of the additional players we’ve brought on offense,” said general manager Andrew Berry. “I think just being familiar with Kevin and the offensive staff and honestly even settling into a new environment. We’ve obviously seen him in training and match settings. We’ve seen his talent, seen his ability, but it’s an adjustment period and we feel really good that he’s getting a full spring, a full summer and maybe a more normal start to the regular season, which bodes well for the team.
The Browns expect to give Watson more freedom at the line of scrimmage this season because the quarterback is “comfortable with the system.”
“He did that sometimes last year. I think that will only grow the more reps he gets in our system,” Stefanski said.
Browns expect Deshaun Watson to take more control on offense and return to his form in 2023 originally appeared on Pro football talk
Source : sports.yahoo.com