The Cleveland Browns’ tumultuous 2024 season took another devastating turn when star quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles rupture in a Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The injury capped off a disappointing campaign for the 29-year-old signal-caller, who struggled to regain his elite form after serving an 11-game suspension in 2022 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
A Season of Struggles
Watson, who arrived in Cleveland via a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans in 2022, finished the season with a league-worst 23.5 QBR, throwing just five touchdowns against three interceptions in seven starts. The three-time Pro Bowler never seemed to find his footing in an offense tailored to his strengths, consistently missing open receivers and displaying a lack of pocket awareness.
Off the field, Watson faced additional challenges, including the deaths of his father and a former college teammate, as well as a new civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault in 2020, which was later settled out of court. The mounting pressure and poor performances led to increased scrutiny from fans and media alike, with some questioning whether the Browns had made a mistake in mortgaging their future for the embattled quarterback.
Confidence Questioned
Throughout the season, Watson repeatedly expressed confidence in his abilities, dismissing the notion that his struggles had shaken his belief in himself as an elite quarterback. However, his body language on the field and interactions with teammates and coaches suggested otherwise, as frustration mounted with each passing week.
He looks like a player who’s had stuff going on above his shoulder. There’s definitely a confidence thing going on.
– According to a close source
Watson’s teammates and coaches remained supportive, often deflecting blame for the offense’s woes and pointing to collective failures rather than singling out the quarterback. However, behind closed doors, questions began to surface about whether the Browns had made the right decision in standing by their embattled star.
Injury and Uncertain Future
Watson’s season came to a premature end when he suffered a noncontact Achilles injury in the third quarter of the Browns’ Week 7 loss to the Bengals. As he was carted off the field, some fans cheered the injury and booed the quarterback, drawing sharp rebukes from his teammates.
We don’t boo the guys that are injured on the field, especially with the extent where the cart comes out. We should be ashamed of ourselves as Browns and as fans to boo anyone and their downfall.
– Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns defensive end
With Watson set to undergo surgery and begin a lengthy rehabilitation process, the Browns must now confront the possibility that their $230 million investment may never pay the dividends they had hoped for. The team still owes Watson $46 million in each of the next two seasons, making it financially difficult to move on from the quarterback without incurring a record-breaking dead cap hit.
As the Browns turn to veteran Jameis Winston to lead the offense in Watson’s absence, the organization faces difficult decisions about the future of the quarterback position. With the team trending toward a high draft pick in 2025, the opportunity to select a top prospect looms large, potentially signaling the end of Watson’s tenure in Cleveland.
For now, the Browns must navigate the remainder of the 2024 season without their starting quarterback, hoping to salvage what has been a disappointing campaign. As for Watson, the road to recovery and redemption appears long and uncertain, leaving fans and pundits alike to wonder if he will ever recapture the form that once made him one of the NFL’s most promising young stars.
