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The 2023 season was particularly challenging for Deshaun Watson, whose campaign was abruptly cut short due to a severe shoulder injury.
Watson managed to play only six games before the injury necessitated surgery, contributing to a turbulent period for the Cleveland Browns' quarterback position. During this tumultuous time, the Browns experienced seven quarterback changes and had four different starters. Watson, P.J. Walker, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Joe Flacco all took turns starting as QB1.
Despite the instability, every quarterback managed to record at least one win. However, Watson's performance during his two seasons with the Browns has not lived up to the high expectations set for him, with him playing only six games in each of these seasons.
Optimism for Watson’s 2024 Return
There is a renewed sense of optimism surrounding Watson's return for the 2024 season. Browns General Manager Andrew Berry recently provided an encouraging update on Watson's recovery, stating that the quarterback is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.
"First and foremost, Deshaun has really worked his tail off during the rehabilitation process over the last several months," Berry stated. "He's really ahead of schedule. He's really chomping at the bit to take the governor off, so to speak, but really he's had a really nice spring."
Watson has demonstrated impressive performance during the spring minicamp, where he has thrown the ball well and performed admirably during 7-on-7 and team periods. "He's thrown the ball well. Did a really nice job during our 7-on-7 and team periods during this veteran minicamp. So, we're excited as he gets into training camp and gets the pads on," Berry added.
High Hopes for a Critical Season
The 2024 season is considered critical not only for Watson but also for the Browns as a whole. The team hopes that Watson will be able to stabilize the quarterback position and lead them to the playoffs. The early signs from his rehabilitation and his performance this spring have been promising, and Cleveland fans are looking forward to a more stable and effective presence from their star quarterback.
Positive Signs and Fan Expectations
Berry expressed his excitement about Watson's prospects for the upcoming season, indicating that if one didn’t know about Watson's injury last year, they likely wouldn't be able to tell the difference based on his recent performance. "Honestly, if you didn't know he got hurt last year, you really wouldn't be able to tell the difference. We're very excited once camp starts," Berry concluded.
As the Browns gear up for what they hope to be a successful 2024 season, the focus will be on Watson's recovery and his ability to fulfill the high expectations placed upon him. With promising early signs, both the team and the fans are hopeful that Watson can lead the Browns to a much-anticipated playoff appearance and bring stability to the quarterback position.