Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson believes his best football in the NFL remains ahead of him, despite his significant past off-field issues and struggles on the field since his return.
It is no secret that Cleveland fans would like to see the three-time Pro Bowler’s production return to a level much closer to his numbers from the 2020 season. In that year as a member of the Texans, Watson threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. But on Wednesday, Watson told reporters that the new season gives him another opportunity to play in the league and be better than he was three seasons ago.
“I don’t want to return to that,” Watson said, per Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram and Medina Gazette. “… I want to be better than that guy. What I was in [2020], three years ago, I’m not the same guy. I feel like I’ve improved, evolved to a new level. … Last year was a tricky time where I was learning everything.
“I had a lot of fun and success in Houston but I want to have that success and start something new in Cleveland.”
Watson returned to the NFL in Week 13 of the ’22 season after serving an 11-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, stemming from more than two dozen lawsuits detailing graphic accounts of sexual harassment and assault being filed against him. He also sat out for the entire ’21 season as the legal proceedings played out, after requesting a trade from Houston.
In six games last season, Watson registered a 3–3 mark while throwing for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.
In two August preseason games, Watson threw for 104 yards on 8-for-13 passes. The Browns will start the ’23 season on Sunday against the Bengals.
