Update on Deshaun Watson from Kevin Stefanski during the NFL’s annual owner’s meetings
Three years into Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson experiment, the experienced signal caller’s recovery from shoulder surgery still stands as a significant obstacle. The good news is that the former Texans quarterback’s situation seems to be going in the right direction.
Following a season-ending glenoid fracture to his shoulder in 2023, Watson is currently recovering in Los Angeles and looks to be back in the lineup for spring practices in April. When visiting their star quarterback earlier this month, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey appeared to be pleased with what they observed.
“He’s in a great place physically,” Stefanski said on Monday at the NFL’s annual owner’s meetings. “It’s beautiful out there [in LA]. He’s doing a great job with his rehab. Really, it was more of a me checking in with him, and starting to develop a relationship with Ken was really the most important part.”
When Watson last participated in an NFL season, he was among the league’s finest players. The sole issue is that was over five years ago. Cleveland is hoping that in 2024, Watson may resume his career on the right path.
A make or break season
For Watson and the Browns, the third season in Cleveland seems like a make-or-break one. Despite being surrounded by a lineup that is primed for immediate success, he has unable to put together a string of consecutive victories despite displaying flashes of brilliance throughout his brief tenure with the team.
Watson’s recovery is progressing to the point that, throughout the past week, he has resumed throwing the football. A familiar face was present during his first throwing session at the UCLA training facility: tight end David Njoku of the Browns traveled to the west to work out and receive passes from the 28-year-old quarterback.
The Browns’ offensive strategy under Dorsey will primarily rely on Watson returning to his 2020 form. In the past, when Dorsey’s offense really takes off, it’s usually a sign that the passing game is clicking.
The Browns front office, led by Andrew Berry, has assembled the necessary elements for Watson to succeed. It is now his responsibility to survive this offseason in good health and begin 2024 prepared and focused to take the league by storm..