NFL coordinator, Browns source address struggles of Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns was arguably the worst starting quarterback of the ongoing NFL season before he went down with a torn right Achilles on Oct. 20. 

For a piece produced by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Daniel Oyefusi that was published on Thursday, one unnamed NFL coordinator explained why he still believes Watson could reclaim the form that made him a three-time Pro Bowl selection during his time with the Houston Texans. 

"I still think he's super talented," the coordinator said about Watson. "But it appears to be a neck-up issue, and with the personal stuff, football has become secondary. You can't ignore the fan base. If they don't accept him, he'll never have a chance to improve."

Pockets of Browns fans decided immediately after the club gave Watson a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract as part of acquiring him from the Texans in March 2022 that they were never going to accept him due to the numerous allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions that resulted in the 29-year-old serving an 11-game suspension during his first season with Cleveland. Others gave up on him amid his poor play this past fall, and some even cheered when he suffered his latest injury in Week 7. 

Watson also hasn't done himself any favors by seemingly enjoying time away from the Browns during his recovery. 

Watson's 2023 campaign ended prematurely because of a serious shoulder injury, and he thus far has appeared in just 19 regular-season games with the Browns. Per ESPN and Pro Football Reference, his 23.6 adjusted QBR for 2024-25 would be good for last in the league if he was among qualified passers.

The Browns reportedly could target a "veteran with starter's talent," such as Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons, to serve as competition for Watson this coming summer. One NFL coordinator told ESPN that Watson "should be able to win a quarterback competition in two days with his athleticism and arm" if "he's right mentally," while a team source said that "there's nothing in [Watson's] physical skill set that suggests he can't still be productive." 

Last offseason, the Browns made multiple moves to fill Watson with confidence leading up to September. Cleveland almost certainly will go down a different route beginning in March, and how Watson reacts to such decisions could determine whether or not he ever takes another meaningful snap as a Browns player.