Deshaun Watson is better off keeping his thoughts to himself, especially after dumping on the fans on his way to being named the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. But if he were a sympathetic figure, rather than the pariah he has become, his comeback story might draw a different response.
When Watson takes the field against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13, it will be almost two years since he last played in a regular-season game. He could have taken it easy with his $230 million contract fully guaranteed, but instead he worked his way back from two Achilles tendon tears to become an NFL starter again.
About to turn 31 the day after his return, Watson revealed his “why” ahead of the Browns’ opener, saying it’s important to him to prove himself.
“My why is just the love of the game. I just want to prove myself that I am capable of still playing high-level football in this league, and to have the opportunity to be able to show that and I want to be able to do that each and every week,” Watson said. “I’m healthy, 100 percent healthy now, mentally really, really good. And I just want to showcase that. So it’s going to be super exciting and a lot of plays and wins happening this year.”
Head coach Todd Monken explained his highly controversial choice by saying that Watson gives the Browns the best chance to win. That could be more of an indictment of Shedeur Sanders, who lost a competition to one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL, than it is an endorsement of the current ability of Watson.
There is no arguing that Watson has accomplished much more than Sanders has in the league, but that was a long time ago with the Houston Texans. A three-time Pro Bowl selection who once led the NFL in passing yards, his time with the Browns has fallen far short of that standard.
Not only has he played in just 19 of 68 possible games, but he has what would be the worst QBR among active players during those outings. Add to that the lingering uncomfortable feelings from fans regarding the sexual assault allegations that drove him out of Houston, and it is an unappealing situation, to say the least.
As a potential free agent after the season, Watson may have bigger motivation than just proving the naysayers wrong. If he somehow can play well this season, he could be in line to continue his career, either with the Browns or elsewhere.
Under any other circumstance, it would be an inspiring story, and maybe Watson can make that true in the end.
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