The Cleveland Browns have been on a rollercoaster ride with quarterback Deshaun Watson, waiting to see if he can recapture the brilliance he showed in Houston. During his tenure as the Texans' starting QB, Watson was a force, averaging over 4,280 passing yards and 28 touchdown passes per season, with a completion rate of 68.7 percent. Those numbers painted the picture of a star in the making.
Fast forward to his time in Cleveland, and the narrative has shifted. In exchange for a hefty $230 million guaranteed and three first-round picks, the Browns have seen Watson deliver a total of 3,365 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, with a 61.2 percent completion rate. These stats have fallen short of expectations, contributing to coaching changes and leaving a segment of the fan base disillusioned.
As Watson enters the final year of his contract, the Browns face a financial dilemma. Cutting him would result in an $80.7 million cap hit, making it a non-starter. Yet, his future playing meaningful football for the Browns remains uncertain.
Enter new head coach Todd Monken, who might just be the fresh perspective Watson needs. With no clear starting quarterback options, Monken's approach could be pivotal. He’s acknowledged Watson’s past prowess with the Texans, suggesting there might still be untapped potential.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Monken emphasized a merit-based approach to playing time, even for high-profile players like Watson. He likened it to a classroom setting, where preconceived notions shouldn’t dictate outcomes. Players, he insists, earn their spots based on performance.
Monken’s open-minded stance is encouraging, but he was brought in to revitalize the Browns' offense, starting with the quarterback position. If he lives up to the team's expectations, he’ll need to make some tough decisions this summer-decisions that could finally bring clarity to the Browns' quarterback saga.