Are the expectations for Deshaun Watson too big going into 2023

(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns quarterback will be going into his first full season with the team. He was traded to Cleveland over a year and a half ago but has only played in six games at the tail end of last season. He had been suspended for off-the-field issues, but prior to his suspension he was considered at least a top-10 quarterback in the NFL

He’s still considered by many to be in the top 10 list, but he hasn’t played a full season since 2020 when he was the quarterback of the Houston Texans. That team struggled and despite Watson putting up great career numbers, his team failed and finished with a 4-12 record.

Now in Cleveland, the expectations for the quarterback are ginormous to go along with his $235 million guaranteed contract. Any player and any team in the NFL should have the expectation of reaching the Super Bowl and winning it. That’s no different for the Browns. However, Cleveland hasn’t even won a division title in 34 years as I wrote about a couple of weeks ago.

While there are teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, who went from the basement of the AFC North to the Super Bowl appearance two years ago, the Browns always seem to just be trying to make that next step to get more consistent and back as a playoff contender.

The AFC North Division is usually always tough, and it will be no different going into this season so even winning the division could be another long shot for the Browns. Back in 2020, they did make it to the playoffs, despite not winning the division where they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, and then lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game.

Now with Watson, under center and an even deeper team, both on offense and defense, the expectations are even higher. The general conscientious is the Browns should make it to the playoffs and be a contender for the Super Bowl.

The team did not sign Watson to the extraordinary contract to not win Super Bowls. However, Watson’s never got any further than the AFC Divisional Game either, and he hasn’t played in a full NFL season in three years.

While I’m hopeful, like many of you, that Watson will have a great year, I will continue to be a bit nervous just because.

Maybe if the stars align just right, we will see our first Super Bowl winner in Cleveland sooner than later.