Former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson’s chances of playing this season may have just taken another significant hit following recent remarks from Cleveland Browns ownership.
Watson is in his fourth season with the Browns. His tenure has been marred by injuries and ineffectiveness so far.
However, any hopes Watson had of changing the latter part of that narrative are grim.
Ex-Texans QB Deshaun Watson Receives Clear Message From Browns Owner
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Watson, 30, has thrown for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions on 61.2% completion in 19 starts for the Browns, who are 9-10 with the former Texans first-round draft pick (No. 12 overall in 2017) under center.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini relayed a conversation held with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam at the fall owners meetings in New York.
Haslam did not mention Watson by name, but lamented their situation with the polarizing QB.
“Kevin [Stefanski]’s done a really good job with us, and we’ve had some tough breaks,” Haslam said, per Russini on October 25. “A big trade we made didn’t work out, and you know, we’re all suffering from that. Kevin, I thought, really did a great job of rallying the troops last week at a really critical time. You find out about leaders when things are bad, not when they’re good, and he did a good job last week.”
Haslam has previously and publicly lamented the trade he once tried to separate himself from.
“We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun,” Haslam at the league’s annual meeting in March, per ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. “We thought we had the quarterback; we didn’t. And we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him, so we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.
“[The trade] was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee [Haslam] and I, so hold us accountable.”
Meanwhile, Watson has drawn strong reviews from one of his coaches since his Texans exit.
Browns QB Coach Raves About Deshaun Watson
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on against the Los Angeles Rams.
Browns quarterback coach Bill Musgrave lauded Watson, emphasizing how diligently the three-time Texans Pro Bowler has worked behind the scenes as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon.
“Well, he’s working hard. He’s out there working behind the scenes. I see him in the weight room all the time doing box jumps and doing all the exercises and things that they put him through for his Achilles. And then, he’s out throwing some passes. I know at times when we’re meeting or when we’re doing other stuff during the afternoon, he seems like he’s working like crazy,” Musgrave told reporters on October 24.
“Well, he’s definitely been through a lot, and I know he wants to play a lot of football again. He feels like he’s got a lot of tread left on his tire.”
Musgrave also praised Watson’s impact on Browns rookie starter Dillon Gabriel.
“I like when those two I like when those two birds converse; I like when they’re talking over there, and I try to take myself out of the equation. I don’t need to be there hovering all over him.
They spoke a lot during the game, in fact, the other day against Miami on the sideline,” Musgrave said.
“Deshaun went on the trip with us down to Charlotte to get his Achilles looked at. But otherwise, he hasn’t been on the road, and we miss him on the road. It’s great to have his presence on the sideline for our young group.”
Watson is signed through 2026 on a full-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract that he signed with the Browns following his trade from the Texans.
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