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By Aaron Becker
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has had a tumultuous NFL career, which began promising but quickly fell apart after sexual assault allegations surfaced and he dealt injuries and suspension.
Watson, who will receive his first live, in-game action since halfway through the 2024 season this weekend, believes he is a different player and person than he used to be, though.
“I’m different, man,” Watson said via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “I think, ever since I’ve been here, early on bringing up Houston was cool, but I’m 30 now and I’ve had some injuries and things like that, so my game has definitely changed. But the mentality in how I play, and how I approach it, doesn’t change.
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“So, I think the biggest thing is just going out there, playing free, and letting my instincts take over. That’s the biggest thing. Coach [Bill] O’Brien always told me to trust my instincts, so I think that’s the biggest thing, just go out there, play free, and let the game come to you.”
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Watson was once viewed as one of the next best quarterbacks in the NFL, when he led the league with 4,823 passing yards with the Houston Texans in 2020.
However, more than 20 civil lawsuits and a contract standoff led the Texans to deal Watson to the Browns for a king's ransom, including three first-round picks, and he's never been the same.
Watson was eventually suspended and has since suffered two Achilles tears and a displaced fracture to his right shoulder, all of which were season-ending injuries.
It's safe to say the Texans won that trade, given Watson has only played in 19 games and thrown for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions since joining the Browns in 2022.
Although it remains to be seen, Watson may have some good football left in him, but he's going to have to beat out 2025 fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders for the starting job before he even gets the chance to prove that.
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