Why Deshaun Watson’s Preseason Start Away From Cleveland Sparked Rumors
- Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders head into training camp facing a high-stakes quarterback competition for the Cleveland Browns, according to reporting by Zac Jackson for The Athletic.
- According to reporting from The Athletic, Deshaun Watson missed 700 days between leaving the Houston Texans and making his debut in a Cleveland uniform.
- Opposing Watson in the quarterback room is Shedeur Sanders, whom The Athletic describes as a work in progress.
Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders head into training camp facing a high-stakes quarterback competition for the Cleveland Browns, according to reporting by Zac Jackson for The Athletic. The battle opens an uninspiring chapter for a franchise that has spent decades searching for stability under center.
The Timeline and Context of Deshaun Watson’s Return
According to reporting from The Athletic, Deshaun Watson missed 700 days between leaving the Houston Texans and making his debut in a Cleveland uniform. That initial delay stemmed from an 11-game suspension in 2022 following accusations of sexual misconduct and assault, during which he settled more than 20 civil suits and paid a $5 million fine to the NFL. Now, Watson faces a different recovery timeline. According to The Athletic, he has two Achilles tears to blame for his latest absence. Should Watson start the regular-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, it will mark 693 days since his last appearance in an NFL game. In total, Watson has played in just 19 games across the 1,417 days since the 2022 season opener. Team owner Jimmy Haslam has acknowledged that the trade and massive contract handed to Watson have been disasters, according to The Athletic.
Shedeur Sanders and the Offensive Outlook
Opposing Watson in the quarterback room is Shedeur Sanders, whom The Athletic describes as a work in progress. According to TruMedia data cited by The Athletic, Sanders held onto the football an average of 3.19 seconds last year, longer than any starter in the league. New head coach Todd Monken must now determine how to structure an offense that maximizes the distinct traits of both players, with Sanders needing to make quicker decisions with the ball to achieve sustained success.
