The Cleveland Browns had a clear plan in mind when they acquired quarterback Deshaun Watson in 2022.
Already boasting a strong defense, the addition of Watson would take the offense to the next level and make the Browns a consistent threat to the rest of the league.
We all know how well that plan went.
The combination of not having played in 2021, an 11-game NFL suspension, a broken shoulder, and a twice-torn Achilles tendon robbed Watson of whatever it was that made him a threat to opposing defenses.
That, in turn, led to a shift in the thinking around the Browns over the past few seasons. Rather than dreaming of a dominant defense paired with a high-scoring offense, the thought was if the Browns could only get league-average play from their quarterbacks, the defense would still be stout enough to give the team a chance.
Again, we all know how well that plan went, as the likes of Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Bailey Zappe, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Watson put up some of the worst quarterbacking numbers the league has ever seen.
But last Sunday in Tampa, we may have seen the rebirth of the dream as Watson had arguably his best day in a Cleveland uniform. The completion rate was high (80 percent), the two touchdown passes were his second-most since joining the Browns, and most importantly, he did not turn the ball over.
The defense did its part, especially in holding the Buccaneers to three points in the fourth quarter and shutting down Tampa Bay’s final drive to secure the win.
Watson actually looked like a competent quarterback to help calm the waters a bit after a horrendous opening weekend. His play could also be the blueprint for the rest of the season. If Watson can deliver consistently and not try to play hero ball, while the rest of the offense grows up around him, then that should be good enough for head coach Todd Monken to build a game plan each week.
For all the obvious reasons, Watson is never going to be the quarterback he was in Houston, and there are six years of evidence to support that.
And while he may not be the $230-million quarterback the Browns wanted, if he can continue to play the way he did against the Buccaneers, he can become the quarterback the Browns need.
Bring the Dawg Pound with you on the SB Nation app!
Stay connected with Browns fans through every score, stop and game-changing play.
- Join the live game-day chat
- Enjoy fewer ads
- Seamlessly explore communities and conversations
- Comment and post faster
Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.
