NFL analyst declares Deshaun Watson “easily” has more pressure than anyone else
Deshaun Watson is heading into his third year with the Cleveland Browns and hopes to play his first full season for the franchise. Already behind on getting the Browns a tangible return, the pressure on Watson to perform is objectively high. However, one analyst believes the pressure on the Browns quarterback towers over every other quarterback in the league.
Speaking on "First Take" on Friday, NFL analyst Courtney Cronin explained how she viewed the situation:
"It's easily Deshaun Watson, and then I think there's a gap between [him and] everyone else on that list. Of course, it has to do with the contract that he was given. ... For Watson to live up to the expectations that he can still be that guy that was in Houston in 2020, leading the league in passing, setting career high in completion percentage that year. Does that guy exist anymore?" Cronin began. [00:44]
"That's a lot of draft capital that the Browns shipped out on top of the money. And it's not just Deshaun Watson that has a lot riding on the season. There are jobs on the line in Cleveland." she added. [01:50]
Deshaun Watson has played in just 12 games for the Browns in the last two seasons. The absence in his first season was explained away as a hangover suspension from dozens of sexual assault allegations that led to a mountain of litigation just before the Browns acquired Watson. The second absence was due to injury. Watson played in just six games in both seasons.
Deshaun Watson aims to hand Browns first winning season with Week 1 starter since COVID-19
Deshaun Watson's goal for 2024 is clear, but the positive fallout from hitting it is profound. If the Browns quarterback can pull together a bona fide playoff season for the Cleveland Browns, it would be the first time since 2020 that the Browns managed to have their Week 1 starter in both the opening game and playoff game.
It also would be the first back-to-back winning seasons for the franchise since 1988 and 1989, per Pro Football Reference. That accomplishment would go a long way toward validating the decision to hand Nick Chubb's quarterback the first fully guaranteed contract in NFL history.
It also might make fans take note of Watson's 5-1 run in 2023 under a different context. Had he not managed to win games at the rate he did early in the year, Joe Flacco may not have had a chance to reach the playoffs. Could the Browns quarterback start to flip the script in the next few months?
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "First Take" and H/T Sportskeeda.