Amid a grueling recovery from an Achilles injury, former Clemson QB Deshaun Watson focuses on a "ground zero" rebuild of his mechanics, but his future with the Cleveland Browns is more uncertain than ever as the team prepares for a five-man quarterback competition.
As the Cleveland Browns gear up for a contentious five-man quarterback battle in training camp, the odd man out, Deshaun Watson, is quietly undertaking his own fundamental reconstruction. Sidelined by a torn Achilles that he later re-tore, Watson's future with the team that mortgaged its future for him has never been more in doubt.
While Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel are set to compete for the starting job, Watson is focused on a different kind of challenge: a complete teardown and rebuild of his throwing mechanics.
"I think it's a fun challenge, just cause we starting from ground zero," Watson said in a recent media appearance. "I've been throwing my whole life. It's really natural but it's the little details and fundamentals that comes with it to be a little more accurate, to add that more power, that rotation. The more fluent you can be as a passer, as a thrower it'll just flow better."
This meticulous approach is a silver lining for the 29-year-old quarterback, who acknowledged the unique opportunity presented by his extended rehabilitation.
"Obviously, I don't wanna be hurt, but at the same time, using this moment to really focus on the details that I wouldn't focus on if I was rushing back," he said.
What was once envisioned as the solution to the Browns' long-standing quarterback woes has devolved into three seasons of frustration. Since his blockbuster trade to Cleveland, Watson has played in just 19 games, posting underwhelming numbers and failing to consistently recapture the form that made him a star in Houston. In 2023, prior to the season-ending injury, he recorded 1,148 passing yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions in seven appearances.
Despite being under contract for significant money through the 2026 season, the consensus around the league is that Watson is unlikely to take another snap for Cleveland barring an unforeseen turn of events.
For now, the former Pro Bowler is tuning out the noise and focusing on the minutiae of his craft. While his teammates battle for the QB1 spot he was supposed to command, Watson is on a solitary journey, rebuilding his game from the ground up, waiting for a chance—wherever it may be—to prove he can still play.
