- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,148,678
- Reaction score
- 59
Deshaun Watson knows plenty of people have written him off.
After injuries, inconsistent play and criticism surrounding his time in Cleveland, the former Clemson star enters another season facing questions about his future. But if Watson is listening to the outside noise, he isn’t showing it.
The Browns quarterback recently spoke about his relationship with owner Jimmy Haslam, who made headlines last year when he referred to Cleveland’s blockbuster trade for Watson as a “big swing-and-miss.” Despite that public comment, Watson says there is no tension between the two.
“The relationship is great,” Watson said. “Dee, Jimmy, they were at my wedding. We talk all the time.”
Rather than dwelling on criticism, Watson compared his situation to one of his favorite athletes, Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper.
“Sometimes he swings, but he stands back up, and he gets another opportunity, and he hits a home run,” Watson said. “So you never know what opportunity might show up, and that’s what I have right now.”
Opportunity is something Watson hasn’t had much of in recent years. Since arriving in Cleveland in 2022 on a fully guaranteed contract, injuries and other setbacks have limited him to just 19 appearances. His latest challenge came after suffering a torn Achilles in October 2024, followed by another Achilles injury during the recovery process.
The lengthy rehabilitation tested Watson physically and mentally.
“It was a lot of ups and downs,” Watson said. “I learned a lot about myself. Learned that just got to be patient. Just keep working, keep pushing forward.”
Now healthy enough to compete again, Watson finds himself in another quarterback battle. New Browns coach Todd Monken has not named a starter, leaving Watson to compete with several quarterbacks, including rookie Shedeur Sanders.
For Watson, though, the goal remains unchanged.
“I think each and every person that walks into the locker room should have that mindset that you want to start in this league,” Watson said. “That’s why we show up each and every day.”
Whether he ultimately wins the job remains to be seen, but Watson believes he has something many thought was gone: another chance. And after everything that’s happened over the last few years, that’s all he’s focused on right now.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Deshaun Watson on growth, learning as he works to be Cleveland’s starting QB
Continue reading...
After injuries, inconsistent play and criticism surrounding his time in Cleveland, the former Clemson star enters another season facing questions about his future. But if Watson is listening to the outside noise, he isn’t showing it.
The Browns quarterback recently spoke about his relationship with owner Jimmy Haslam, who made headlines last year when he referred to Cleveland’s blockbuster trade for Watson as a “big swing-and-miss.” Despite that public comment, Watson says there is no tension between the two.
“The relationship is great,” Watson said. “Dee, Jimmy, they were at my wedding. We talk all the time.”
Rather than dwelling on criticism, Watson compared his situation to one of his favorite athletes, Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper.
“Sometimes he swings, but he stands back up, and he gets another opportunity, and he hits a home run,” Watson said. “So you never know what opportunity might show up, and that’s what I have right now.”
Opportunity is something Watson hasn’t had much of in recent years. Since arriving in Cleveland in 2022 on a fully guaranteed contract, injuries and other setbacks have limited him to just 19 appearances. His latest challenge came after suffering a torn Achilles in October 2024, followed by another Achilles injury during the recovery process.
The lengthy rehabilitation tested Watson physically and mentally.
“It was a lot of ups and downs,” Watson said. “I learned a lot about myself. Learned that just got to be patient. Just keep working, keep pushing forward.”
Now healthy enough to compete again, Watson finds himself in another quarterback battle. New Browns coach Todd Monken has not named a starter, leaving Watson to compete with several quarterbacks, including rookie Shedeur Sanders.
For Watson, though, the goal remains unchanged.
“I think each and every person that walks into the locker room should have that mindset that you want to start in this league,” Watson said. “That’s why we show up each and every day.”
Whether he ultimately wins the job remains to be seen, but Watson believes he has something many thought was gone: another chance. And after everything that’s happened over the last few years, that’s all he’s focused on right now.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Deshaun Watson on growth, learning as he works to be Cleveland’s starting QB
Continue reading...
