Deshaun Watson gets humbled by 2024 NFL MVP odds

The oddsmakers have little faith in Deshaun Watson looking ahead to the 2024 NFL season. 

With Super Bowl LVIII in the books, attention turns to the 2024 offseason and the prospective moves each team around the NFL may take to improve next season. 

For the Cleveland Browns, a large part of the organization's improvement hinges on the health and ability of Watson, who hasn't played a full season since being traded and signing his record-breaking contract with the organization. 

However, those who are setting the odds for the 2024 season are showing little faith that Watson can reach his previous MVP form. 

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Watson holds +4,500 odds to win league MVP for the 2024 season. 

Those odds are worse than Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (+4,000), Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (+4,000), Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (+2,500) and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (+1,400). 

The oddsmakers aren't high on Watson for good reason. In six games played during the 2024 season, Watson amassed 1,115 passing yards and seven touchdowns. He appeared to be finding his footing following a come-from-behind win against the Baltimore Ravens before he missed the rest of the season due to injury. 

The 2022 season was no better for Watson. In six games, he threw for 1,102 passing yards and seven touchdowns. 

Recently, the Browns fired former offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and brought in Ken Dorsey. The hope was to get more out of Watson, whose play has not lived up to his market-resetting contract. 

If Watson can defy the odds in 2024 by staying healthy and looking like the Watson who carried the Houston Texans to division banners, the Browns have no real limit on how good they can be next season. 

However, if Watson struggles again, the questions surrounding his long-term future in Cleveland will only get louder.