Scout Questions If Browns QB Deshaun Watson Has ‘Lost Something’

Three years ago, the Cleveland Browns sent a king’s ransom to the Houston Texans in exchange for Deshaun Watson, who was promptly signed to the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history.

Since then, Watson has appeared in 12 games for Cleveland, missed 11 while suspended for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy and 11 more due to injury. Though the Browns made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020, it was backup quarterback Joe Flacco who led them to the postseason rather than Watson, the former first-round pick thought to be Cleveland’s answer under center.

An anonymous scout said Watson is under “a ton of pressure.”

“He has to get healthy, stay healthy and start living up to that $230 million fully guaranteed contract,” the scout said. “This trade has been a total disappointment so far, and that’s not even factoring in the legal issues he has been facing. Watson can help himself and the Browns a lot by living up to his potential.”

These comments were made as part of the exclusive Browns scouting report in the Athlon Sports 2024 Preview magazine , which is now available on newsstands.

The rest of Cleveland’s roster is ready to compete in the cutthroat AFC North, which the scout pointed out. There’s the “great offensive line” and a stout defense headlined by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.

“I think [general manager] Andrew Berry did a nice job of filling out this defensive line with Dalvin Tomlinson,” the scout added.

The Browns traded for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy this offseason and signed two capable backup quarterbacks: Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley.

But ultimately, Watson will dictate the ceiling of this offense, especially with workhorse running back Nick Chubb working his way back from a gruesome knee injury. Since the trade, Watson has completed less than 60% of his passes and thrown for fewer than 200 yards per game.

“Starting to wonder if he has simply lost something, doesn’t like playing in cold weather or what,” the scout said.

The structure of Watson’s record-breaking deal has him tied to the team through 2026. The hope in Cleveland is that Watson can return to the level of play that made him a Pro Bowler in Houston despite little evidence over the last two seasons that he will.

Related: Cleveland Browns 2024 NFL Season Preview: Can Deshaun Watson Deliver?

Related: HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks: In Season’ to Highlight AFC North Division Race