Browns’ Deshaun Watson Reflects on Difficult Start in Cleveland Amid QB1 Battle with Shedeur Sanders
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson reflected on his journey since being traded to Cleveland as he now competes with Shedeur Sanders for the starting quarterback job.
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Deshaun Watson (Image via IMAGO/X)
Deshaun Watson signed with the Cleveland Browns during a time when he had to deal with matters unrelated to football. Suspension and injuries hampered his career with the Browns. He missed the last two seasons due to Achilles injuries.
Watson is back at the Cleveland facility, training with the current roster. He aims to win the starting job and finish his final year with the Browns on a high note.
On Wednesday, reporters asked Watson whether he feels he’s in a better place now compared to the first time he set foot in Cleveland.
Of course, of course, there was a lot going on [back in 2022]. I am in a way better space and I have matured, I’m in a great position… I am enjoying life.
Deshaun Watson told the Cleveland Media
#Browns QB Deshaun Watson acknowledges he's in a much better place now than when he first came to Cleveland, saying there was a lot going on at the time.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 10, 2026
Watson also said he's now an introvert and doesn't get into the outside stuff or socialize like he used to. pic.twitter.com/cnjOtfKRuh
In 2021, several women came forward accusing Watson of s**ually harassing them during massage sessions. The Houston Texans (who drafted Watson) sent Watson on a season-long leave. A year later, the Texans traded Watson to the Browns for first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as the Browns’ third-round pick in 2023 and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024. He signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal (the highest ever contract at that time).
The NFLPA suspended Watson for eleven games of the season. His first year ended with a 3-3 record. The following year, he suffered a season-ending fractured shoulder. The injuries kept piling up. Next, he suffered multiple ACL injuries that required surgery.
In the meantime, Watson dealt with the civil lawsuits filed against him by his accusers. One by one, his attorney, Tony Buzbee, settled the lawsuits. Of the 27 lawsuits filed against the 30-year-old, 24 ended with settlements in 2022, and the final two were dismissed.
I think the biggest thing is, I’m an introvert now, so I don’t really get into all the outside stuff and noise as I used to. I used to be a social person back in the day and kind of more open, but now I’m just kind of watching my surroundings and my moves and just kind of focus on the things that I need to focus on.
Watson said
From 2021 to 2025, Watson made 19 appearances in the league. During that period, he registered a lousy 33.9 QBR (among the worst).
Deshaun Watson reacts to fans cheering him after he suffered an ACL tear
It takes time for a young player to mature and find his feet. Watson believes the trials and stipulations he has been through have made him a better person.
It wasn’t easy. In week seven of the 2024-25 season, Watson experienced the ugly side of football fans after suffering a non-contact injury that turned out to be an ACL tear.
Instead of praying for Watson’s quick recovery, the crowd let out a sarcastic cheer as the Browns were 1-5 to start the season. Reporters asked Watson how he viewed the situation.
At the end of the day, I can’t control what people support. I think that’s their own opinion. I think that all I can do is just put out the best person I am, showcase who I am as a person, as a player, as a teammate, and what I represent as an individual. So outside of that, I can’t focus on what the outside is saying.
Watson said via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN
Deshaun Watson was asked how he might handle a segment of Browns fans who don’t want him to be the starting quarterback again:
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) June 10, 2026
“I can’t control what people support. … I think that all I can do is just put out the best person I am, showcase who I am as a person, as a player, as… pic.twitter.com/6r1z5X9Isk
Watson has to battle it out with Shedeur Sanders in the OTAs to grab the starting quarterback role. It won’t be easy. Even though Sanders’s rookie season wasn’t great, the University of Colorado graduate is extremely popular among the Browns fans. They would rather see Sanders play over the more experienced Watson.
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