Deshaun Watson’s last elite season? That was way back in 2020. Let that sink in for a second, because the Cleveland Browns just named him their starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders, and frankly, that move doesn’t settle whether he actually gives them the best shot to win. First-year coach Todd Monken pointed to Watson’s full body of work from the offseason, training camp, preseason games, and joint practices as the reason, stressing it’s not a week-to-week call. But the bigger question remains: can Watson even be close to an average NFL quarterback? Based on the numbers, the short answer is a resounding no.
The Numbers Are Screaming for Cleveland
Back in 2020, when Watson was just 25 and still in Houston, he was straight up one of the best in the game. Among 36 quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks, he was first in yards per attempt at 8.9, second in passer rating with a 112.4, and third in both PFF passing grade (91.1) and positive-EPA rate (54.7%). His 0.24 EPA per dropback ranked fifth. That dude? That guy would solve Cleveland’s problems instantly. The issue? That version of Watson hasn’t been seen in nearly six years.
Fast forward to 2024, and the numbers are brutal. Watson’s -0.25 EPA per dropback was near the absolute bottom of the league. His positive-EPA rate clocked in at a similarly poor 37.8%, and his average yards per attempt tanked to just 5.3. Even his 63.4 PFF passing grade was way below the average of 72.6. Before his catastrophic injury, he wasn’t playing like an average quarterback. The man was playing like the *least efficient quarterback in the league*. That’s the real problem Cleveland has to grapple with right now.
The Long Road Back, But What’s Actually Waiting?
Then there’s the injury history, which is a whole other level of brutal. Watson tore his right Achilles against Cincinnati on October 20, 2024. He had surgery five days later, then re-ruptured the tendon during recovery and needed another surgery in January 2025. That wiped out his entire 2025 season. If he starts Week 1 as expected, it’ll have been 693 days since his last regular-season appearance.
So where does this leave Cleveland? With 693 days since his last regular season snap and the numbers screaming inefficiency, it’s clear the Watson of old isn’t walking through that door. The Browns might have their Week 1 starter, but the future beyond that, and perhaps even for this season, feels incredibly murky. They’ve gotta be looking at 2027 draft plans already, because the evidence suggests this isn’t the answer.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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