Browns' Deshaun Watson sends strong message to critics ahead of pivotal season

Cleveland Browns starter Deshaun Watson left little doubt during mandatory minicamp that he knows exactly where he sits in certain quarterback power rankings heading into what could become a career-altering season for the 28-year-old.

Watson spoke with reporters at training camp on Friday and delivered quite a message to critics and doubters.

"Just being the best Deshaun Watson [I] can be for this team so we can get that ultimate goal. And maximizing my potential, my talent — that’s my motivation," Watson explained, as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I don’t have anything else that’s going to motivate me. I could give two f---- what other people say, to be honest."

Watson agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract with Cleveland over two years ago but has since made just 12 regular-season starts. He missed the first 11 games of the 2022 season while serving a suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions, and he then suffered a shoulder injury in his sixth game of the 2023 campaign.

"I think honestly it’s really just blocking out all the bull----, honestly, outside," Watson said about his altered mindset. "It was tough coming in two years [ago] — different environment, different team, different all that. So you come in and your character has been mentioned this way and then it kind of flips on you and you’re trying to... the biggest thing is you’re trying to get people to like you or improve."

The Browns replaced offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt with Ken Dorsey this offseason reportedly to have Dorsey "construct an offense that comforts Watson and maximizes his skill set." It's believed the club could explore ways to move on from Watson's contract this coming winter if that plan fails to produce positive results or he suffers yet another alarming physical setback.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed on Thursday that he'll once again serve as Cleveland's offensive play-caller this fall. 

"But now, it’s like, at the end of the day, it’s two years in and you’re going to like me or you have your own opinions and, yeah, it is what it is," Watson continued. "So I think blocking out all the noise and focusing on me, and focusing on what I need to do to be the best Deshaun Watson I can be for myself, my family, and my teammates."

Physically speaking, Watson should be good to go for Cleveland's Week 1 game versus the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8. While it's unknown what he will and won't be coming off his injury, it certainly sounds like his shoulder is carrying quite the chip this summer.