Watson: Browns 'putting together a great contender'

Deshaun Watson is excited about what the Cleveland Browns have built ahead of his third season with the team.

"That's the plan, being able to pull out a full season. ... We get one full season, and it's going to be a special thing. I really believe that, the organization believes that, and the locker room believes it, too. We're putting together a great contender," the quarterback said Thursday about the 2024 campaign, per Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland.

Watson was traded to the Browns from the Houston Texans during the 2022 offseason but has yet to play a full season with Cleveland. He served an 11-game suspension in his first year with the team, and a shoulder injury limited him to six appearances in 2023.

Injuries forced the Browns to start four different quarterbacks in 2023. Despite that, Kevin Stefanski's outfit reached the playoffs before suffering a wild-card loss to the Texans. It was a special season in Cleveland, as Stefanski was named Coach of the Year and Myles Garrett earned the Defensive Player of the Year award. Additionally, quarterback Joe Flacco claimed Comeback Player of the Year honors, while defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was named Assistant Coach of the Year.

Watson - a three-time Pro Bowler in Houston - hasn't been able to replicate that success with the Browns. The 28-year-old has completed only 59.8% of his passes for 2,217 yards and 14 touchdowns against nine interceptions in 12 starts in Cleveland, good for a passer rating of 81.7.

He remains optimistic about finding his best form again soon, though.

"(I'm) passionate about getting out there on the field and being a success so we can bring that championship back to Cleveland where it belongs," Watson said. "I'm gonna do whatever I need to on and off the field to be able to have that goal achieved."

The Browns gave Watson a new weapon this offseason, landing former first-round receiver Jerry Jeudy in a trade from the Denver Broncos. Watson described Jeudy's arrival as "amazing."

"It's gonna be a great addition with Amari (Cooper) and Elijah (Moore), and those three guys already been together this offseason. ... It's gonna be fun to be able to toss the ball around to those guys," he added.

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