After the Cleveland Browns signed Deshaun Watson to a massive, fully-guaranteed contract, there was plenty of league-wide controversy.
This is the largest fully-guaranteed contract in league history, and many believed it was a foolish decision by the Browns.
After serving the length of his suspension, Watson could only play in six games during the 2022 season.
Assuming he doesn’t get injured, Watson is slated to play an entire season with the Browns in 2023.
In a recent segment of ‘Speak’ on FS1, Joy Taylor expressed that Watson will be closely monitored.
“If they struggle early,” Taylor said, “That conversation is going to start to happen.”
.@JoyTaylorTalks: The pressure will be on Deshaun Watson this season. pic.twitter.com/fgsk8zXYsJ
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) July 25, 2023
As Taylor illustrated, this conversation concerns whether signing Watson was a mistake for the Browns.
She did give Watson and the Browns a pass for the 2022 season, as he didn’t have much time to bond with his teammates.
Watson will be out of excuses with an entire offseason under his belt.
The first weeks for the Browns could prove interesting, both in the court of public opinion, and within their organization.
Looking ahead to their schedule, the Browns’ first four games are against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, and Baltimore Ravens.
Having three divisional opponents on the schedule is a difficult way to start the season.
As Taylor points out, if they struggle early, Watson could be under more scrutiny and pressure to succeed.
The Browns have added some pieces to this offense, such as Elijah Moore and Marquise Goodwin.
How will Watson’s second season in Cleveland turn out?
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