How Is Browns' QB Deshaun Watson Progressing In His Rehab From Shoulder Surgery?

Meeting with the media for the first time this offseason, Browns general manager Andrew Berry provided updates on quarterback Deshaun Watson who continues to make his way back from shoulder surgery

Injuries threatened to derail the Browns 2023 season from its outset. By the timewhen the team lost quarterback Deshaun Watson to a glenoid fracture in his throwing shoulder following Week 10 it seemed like it could become a critical tipping point where the injuries just became too much to overcome. Ultimately, the resilient Browns found a way to finish 11-6 and clinch a playoff berth regardless.

Four quarterbacks and a Wild Card loss later, the Browns are nose deep into offseason mode and it's all eyes on Watson's recovery, as he works to be back for Cleveland this spring. According the Browns vice president of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry, the 28-year-old QB may actually be ahead of schedule in his rehab process.

"Deshaun’s progressing well," Berry said at his end of the season press conference. "He’s doing everything in his power in terms of rehab. He’s coming along well. We anticipate him being on a normal or potentially ahead-of-schedule time. I hesitate to say that because it still is early, but we’re really pleased with this progress so far and certainly looking forward to getting him back when he comes in the spring.”

Since trading three first-round picks, plus additional third and fourth rounders for Watson in March of 2022, the former Texans signal caller has played in just 12 games for the Browns with varying results. There were flashes of the old Watson in his six games of action this season, where he finished with a 61.4 completion percentage, 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

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Entering year three of what was an unheard of five-year, 230-million fully guaranteed contract Cleveland doled out to Watson upon acquiring him there's still plenty for him to prove, having not played a full season since 2020.

“We’d all love to have him on the field more often," Berry admitted. "I think that’s safe to say, himself included. I do feel really good about him, happy with the progress that he’s made within our organization, both on the field and off the field, and we’re looking forward to getting him back next year. We think he’s going to have a really big year and have a ton of confidence in him as our starting quarterback.”

The Browns organization may not be wavering in their belief of Watson, but for many fans there is mounting impatience for him to realize the full potential. 2024 will be a critical season for the Browns QB as Cleveland could be faced with a harsh reality that they royally missed on this trade. For now it's not something they're not dwelling on. 

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"I honestly haven’t spent a ton of time thinking about that," Berry said looking back on the deal. "When we made the trade, we really looked at it as, ‘Hey, this is something that we’ll evaluate like a ten-year time horizon because these guys play.’ Obviously, we want him on the field more often than he’s been. He can’t help the shoulder injuries this year, but we’re really pleased with him. He’s very talented, he’s very hardworking, he’s adaptable and we really feel good about him moving forward.”

Only time will tell if Watson can reclaim his old ability. If the Browns hope to truly spend 10 years with Watson as their franchise quarterback though, it starts with getting him back healthy in time for next season.