Report expands on Browns building offense around Deshaun Watson

Since the spring, multiple reports detailed how Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and new Cleveland offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey spent time crafting an offense meant to get the most out of quarterback Deshaun Watson.

For an article published on Wednesday, ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi shared how the Browns hope an increased "use of [run-pass option plays] and motion" will help Watson reclaim the form that made him a Pro Bowl selection each season from 2018 through 2020.

"Last season, the Browns' personnel usage aligned more with modern NFL trends, using more formations with three wide receivers," Oyefusi wrote. "From 2020 to 2022, the Browns used 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end and three wide receivers) on 47% of plays, sixth lowest in that span, according to ESPN's Stats & Information Group. The Browns used 11 personnel on 68% of plays in 2023, their highest in four seasons under Stefanski. Expect that to remain a staple, and potentially increase, with Dorsey's input."

Alex Van Pelt served as Cleveland's offensive coordinator from 2020 through last season but never had a healthy Watson as his QB1 for a full campaign. Watson sat out the 2021 season before he orchestrated a trade from the Houston Texans to the Browns in March 2022 , and he then accumulated additional rust when he missed the first 11 games of the subsequent campaign due to a suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.

Last September, Watson suffered an initial injury to his throwing shoulder in Cleveland's Week 3 game versus the Tennessee Titans. He ultimately made only six total starts during the 2023 season before he was shut down, but the Browns nevertheless made the playoffs with Van Pelt and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco leading the offense.

Fans and media members alike blasted the Browns for parting ways with both Van Pelt and Flacco following the 45-14 wild-card loss to the Houston Texans. In the end, Cleveland's front office along with Stefanski simply thought Dorsey's previous work with dual-threat quarterbacks Cam Newton and Josh Allen made him a better coach for Watson.

"One major change to the offense this season will be the use of option/choice routes, which allow pass-catchers to break in a given direction based on the defense's leverage," Oyefusi added.

Watson first used similar "concepts" when Bill O'Brien was his head coach with the Texans from 2017 through a portion of the 2020 season.

Last week, ESPN's Dan Graziano suggested the Browns once again adjusting the fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract they gave Watson in March 2022 indicates the club won't explore moving on from the signal-caller who turns 29 years old on Sept. 14 even if he endures yet another forgettable season. Perhaps such a vote of confidence coupled with changes made by Dorsey will result in Watson turning the clock back a handful of years.